Changes in lens stiffness due to capsular opacification in accommodative lens refilling

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Presbyopic lens accommodation can be restored by refilling the lens capsular bag with a soft polymer.
• Capsular opacification, a common complication, reduces the clarity of refilled lenses.
• Capsular fibrosis is hypothesized to increase lens capsular bag stiffness, decreasing accommodative amplitude.

Purpose of the Study:

• To directly measure the change in viscoelastic properties of refilled lenses due to capsular fibrosis.
• To investigate the relationship between capsular opacification and lens stiffening.
• To assess the impact of lens epithelium treatment on viscoelastic properties.

Main Methods:

• Enucleated porcine eyes were used to obtain natural and refilled lenses.
• Viscoelastic properties were determined using a low-load compression tester.
• Capsular opacification was assessed via confocal laser scanning microscopy.
• Actinomycin D was used to prevent capsular opacification in control refilled lenses.

Main Results:

• Refilled lenses cultured for three months showed increased stiffness compared to those refilled immediately.
• Actinomycin D treated lenses exhibited lower stiffness than untreated refilled lenses.
• Increased capsular opacification correlated with increased lens stiffness.

Conclusions:

• Capsular fibrosis negatively affects the viscoelastic properties of refilled lenses.
• Lens stiffening is directly related to the degree of capsular opacification.
• Treatment of the lens epithelium can modulate the viscoelastic properties of refilled lenses.