Accommodation of an endocapsular silicone lens (Phaco-Ersatz) in the nonhuman primate.

In owl monkeys, as a model of endocapsular cataract extraction, the lens material was removed through a small hole in the capsule and was replaced with a silicone polymeric gel. The ability of this endocapsular implant (Phaco-Ersatz) to accommodate was documented when pilocarpine produced an increase in the curvature of the lens surface and a decrease in the anterior chamber depth, just as occurs with the untouched natural lens. Refinements of the surgical technique are required to achieve a controlled degree of filling of the capsular bag and inhibit postoperative epithelial proliferation on the inner capsular surface.