Effect of intraocular lens optic design on posterior capsular opacification

Secondary capsular opacification is a common complication of extracapsular cataract extraction. We have done a retrospective study of 1,040 consecutive posterior chamber implants using four optic designs. The annual incidence of capsular opacification requiring capsulotomy was calculated to see if the optic design was a possible factor. The laser ridge and laser "peg" optics each had a cumulative capsulotomy rate of over 40.0% at three years and the convex-plano optic, over 40.0% at five years. Optics of plano-convex/biconvex designs had a cumulative capsulotomy rate of 5.0% at three years and 6.5% at five years. These results strongly suggest that capsular opacification is retarded when there is broad adhesion of the lens optic to the posterior capsule.