How clean is your capsule?

Proliferation of residual lens epithelial cell is believed to be the major cause of posterior capsule opacification following extracapsular cataract extraction. During surgery these cells can be visualised with appropriate illumination facilitating their mechanical removal with the McIntyre cannula. When flat preparations of the anterior capsule are examined by light microscopy, the areas 'cleaned' of cells in this way appear transparent but scanning electron microscopy reveals tufts of remaining debris which may represent points of cellular attachment to the capsule. Control of lens epithelial cell proliferation is important for the future development of cataract surgery.