[In vivo changes in epithelial cells following PEA using the lenses of albino rabbits]

In this study, the changes in epithelial cells and the lens capsules of the eyes of albino rabbits which were subjected to phacoemulsification and aspiration (PEA) with or without intraocular lens (IOL) implantation were histopathologically evaluated. In the rabbits without implantation of IOLs, Soemmerring's ring was observed more frequently, and many fusiform cells reappeared in the junction between a section of the anterior lens capsule and the posterior lens capsule. Folding in the posterior lens capsule increased over time. When IOLs were implanted, the IOLs successfully inhibited Soemmerring's ring formation. However some lens fibers still proliferated between the IOL and lens capsule. Fusiform cell growth was observed adjacent to the anterior lens capsule, but cells did not extend across the lens surface. Epithelial cells were found to cover nearly the entire surface of the posterior capsule, causing opacity of capsule. These experiments indicated that after cataracts resulted from the proliferation of lens epithelial and fusiform cells, and folds induced by contraction.