Inhibition of anterior capsule opacification and contraction by the elevated anterior rim of the intraocular lens optic.

Purpose: To verify the anterior capsule opacification (ACO) and contraction (ACC) of the ZCB00V intraocular lens (IOL), made of the same material as the AR40e with a high ACC rate.

Study design: Retrospective cohort study.

Methods: We evaluated 35 patients at 1 week, 1, 3 and 6 months post phacoemulsification with either a ZCB00V (n = 35) or FY-60AD (n = 34) IOL implantation. The ACC rate was calculated using retroillumination images of the anterior segment, and the ACO was measured using anterior segment photographs and image analysis software. The contact grade between the IOL and anterior capsule was estimated from the Pentacam^® images.

Results: The postoperative ACC rates (mean ± standard deviation) at 3 months were 1.03%±2.54% for the ZCB00V and, and 7.12%±9.47% for the FY-60AD. The ZCB00V-implanted eyes showed a significantly lower postoperative ACC at 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months (P < 0.01). On the other hand, the FY-60AD-implanted eyes had more pronounced ACO, and a significantly larger area of opacification (62.24%±21.32% vs. 16.90%±8.34%; P = 0.0005). Pentacam^® analysis revealed a space between the anterior capsule and IOL surface in the ZCB00V-implanted eyes, whereas the anterior capsule firmly adhered to the IOL surface in the FY-60AD-implanted eyes.

Conclusion: The ACC and ACO were significantly lower in eyes with ZCB00V IOLs compared to those with the FY-60AD. The anterior segment image analysis revealed that the elevated anterior rim of the ZCB00V IOL prevented adhesion between the anterior capsule and IOL optic surface, suggesting an open capsule effect.