This study seems to confirm the sandwich theory of posterior capsule opacification in eyes with an IOL and suggests that fibronectin may be the major extracellular protein responsible for the attachment of hydrophobic soft acrylate (AcrySof(R)) IOLs to the capsular bag. This may represent a true bioactive bond between the IOL and lens epithelial cells or between the IOL and the capsular bag and may be one reason the PCO and neodymium:YAG capsulotomy rates are lower in eyes with a soft acrylate IOL.
Piggyback PC IOLs were explanted in 2 cases because of a newly described complication, interlenticular opacification. Three surgical means may help prevent this complication: meticulous cortical cleanup, especially in the equatorial region; creation of a relatively large continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis to sequester retained cells peripheral to the IOL optic within the equatorial fornix; insertion of the posterior IOL in the capsular bag and the anterior IOL in the ciliary sulcus to isolate retained cells from the interlenticular space.
The greater amount of protein on the hydrophobic soft acrylate (AcrySof(R)) IOLs seems to support an adhesive mechanism for their attachment to the capsular bag. Fibronectin and vitronectin have functional domains to bind them to lens epithelial cells and the collagenous capsule. This kind of attachment could be a true bioactive bond and may be 1 reason the PCO and neodymium:YAG capsulotomy rates are lower in eyes with a soft acrylate IOL.
Although the exact composition of the material between the lenses could not be established, hypotheses were advanced to understand the pathological mechanism associated with this condition. This case is different from those in previous reports of opacification composed of cortex and cells between piggyback IOLs.
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