Effect of a capsular tension ring on axial intraocular lens position

To assess the effect of a capsular tension ring (CTR) on the postoperative anterior chamber depth (ACD).

Vienna Institute for Research in Ocular Surgery, Department of Ophthalmology, Hanusch Hospital, Vienna, Austria.

Prospective observer- and patient-masked randomized trial.

Bilateral small-incision cataract surgery with implantation of a hydrophobic acrylic single-piece intraocular lens (IOL) (Tecnis ZCB00) was performed using a standard technique. Each patient received a CTR in 1 eye (CTR group) and no CTR in the fellow eye (control group). The ACD was measured preoperatively with biometry (IOLMaster 500) and at 1 hour and 12 weeks postoperatively using partial coherence interferometry (ACMaster). The subjective refraction was assessed at 12 weeks.

Sixty eyes (30 patients) were included. Preoperatively, the mean axial length was 23.36 mm ± 1.55 (SD) (range 21.01 to 29.46 mm) in the CTR group and 23.37 ± 1.70 mm (range 21.14 to 28.84 mm) in the control group and the mean ACD was 3.06 ± 0.45 mm (range 2.25 to 4.16 mm) and 3.03 ± 0.47 mm (range 2.18 to 4.10 mm), respectively. The differences were not statistically significant (P=.148 and P=.074, respectively). The mean postoperative ACD was 4.83 ± 0.46 mm (range 3.84 to 5.76 mm) in the CTR group and 4.81 ± 0.43 mm (range 3.67 to 5.65 mm) in the control group. The difference between the groups was not statistically significant (P=.329).

Implantation of a CTR had no significant influence on the postoperative axial IOL position.

No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.