[Histopathological study of rabbit anterior capsule opacification after IOL surgery]

We investigated the histopathology of anterior capsular opacification after intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in a rabbit eye. Sixteen eyes of eight albino rabbits underwent continuous circular capsulorhexis, phacoemulsification, and in-the-bag IOL implantation. The anterior capsules were examined by slitlamp, light microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Anterior capsular opacification during the fourth week after surgery appeared similar to that of the human eye. Multi-layered lens epithelial cells and collagenous fibers were recognized in the anterior capsular opacification. New lens fibers, however, extended between the anterior capsules and the IOLs, and caused the opacification to become obscure. This model may be useful for investigating anterior capsular opacification after cataract surgery during the early postoperative period.