PURPOSE: To compare the presence of fibrosis through footplate positioning holes in two different silicone intraocular lenses (IOLs) following phacoemulsification with IOL implantation. SETTING: Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City. METHODS: Twelve New Zealand white rabbits had phacoemulsification with placement of a control silicone IOL in one eye and a study IOL with a larger positioning hole in the opposite eye. The amount of force required to remove the IOLs from the capsular bag was analyzed at 3 and 6 weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: The force necessary to remove the study lens with the larger positioning holes was statistically significantly greater at both 3 and 6 weeks than that necessary to remove the control lenses. Capsular fibrosis with proliferative lens cortical material through the larger positioning holes was also documented grossly using the Miyake technique. CONCLUSION: The larger footplate positioning holes in the study silicone IOL significantly increased capsular bag fixation in the rabbit model following phacoemulsification and IOL implantation.
PURPOSE: To compare the presence of fibrosis through footplate positioning holes in two different silicone intraocular lenses (IOLs) following phacoemulsification with IOL implantation. SETTING: Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City. METHODS: Twelve New Zealand white rabbits had phacoemulsification with placement of a control silicone IOL in one eye and a study IOL with a larger positioning hole in the opposite eye. The amount of force required to remove the IOLs from the capsular bag was analyzed at 3 and 6 weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: The force necessary to remove the study lens with the larger positioning holes was statistically significantly greater at both 3 and 6 weeks than that necessary to remove the control lenses. Capsular fibrosis with proliferative lens cortical material through the larger positioning holes was also documented grossly using the Miyake technique. CONCLUSION: The larger footplate positioning holes in the study silicone IOL significantly increased capsular bag fixation in the rabbit model following phacoemulsification and IOL implantation.