High-resolution digital retroillumination imaging of the posterior lens capsule after cataract surgery

To develop a system for high-resolution imaging of the posterior lens capsule after intraocular lens surgery for objective assessment of posterior capsule opacification (PCO).

Department of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, United Kingdom.

A system was developed that uses coaxial illumination and imaging based on Zeiss components with a digital camera directly linked to a computer for online image verification and image analysis.

The system produced high-resolution digital images with even background illumination of sufficient quality to demonstrate progressive lens epithelial cell changes that are amenable to computer image analysis.

This system produced excellent images for objective documentation and quantitative measurement of PCO.