title: [An experimental study of stretching capacity of lens anterior capsule].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the stretching capacity of the lens anterior capsule.
  
  
  METHODS
  After continuous circular capsulorhexis (CCC) was performed on 22 bull eyes, the capsular elasticity was measured by gradually opening a modified caliper until the capsular opening was torn. The ratio between the circumference of the opening at rupture and that of the original intact one was used as an index of capsular elasticity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The circumference of the intact CCC could be enlarged to an additional 61% before a radial tear occurred. The area of the extended CCC was significantly larger than that of the original CCC and than the cross-section of a lens nucleus tilted 30 degrees.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The anterior capsule was found to have remarkable stretching capacity, and a suitable size of CCC allows a safe removal of lens substance and intraocular lens implantation without radial tears.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Second Medical University.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019923:Capsulorhexis; D002417:Cattle; D004548:Elasticity; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000502:physiology*