title: Quantitative measurement of the PCCC area in the postoperative period.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The major complication of extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) is posterior capsule opacification (PCO). Posterior continuous circular capsulorhexis (PCCC) seems to be very promising in preventing PCO. This study was aimed at determining if the PCCC area changes as a function of time and if pearl formation could influence it.
  
  
  METHODS
  24 eyes of 23 patients underwent ECCE with PCCC. Retroillumination photographs were taken at 6 months and then yearly. To measure the PCCC area, the computerised program EPCO (evaluation of posterior capsule opacification) was used. The ratio of the PCCC area in relation to the IOL surface was calculated for the different time stages and the presence of pearl formation was noted. Firstly, proportional changes in diameter were compared in PCCC areas measured after 6 months and after 1 year (group I, n=13) and after 1 year and 2 years (group II, n=14). Secondly, PCCC areas were compared between two time stages in patients with (group III, n=19) and without pearl formation (group IV, n=8).
  
  
  RESULTS
  No statistically significant difference was found in diameter change in either group. The PCCC area remains stabile between 6 months to 1 year and 1 year to 2 years. No differences are found between eyes with or without pearl formation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The PCCC area remains stable as a function of time and is not influenced by pearl formation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Antwerp, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650 Edegem, Belgium. yvantenten@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: van Tenten
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: De Groot
authors.forename: F L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Wuyts
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Tassignon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019923:Capsulorhexis / Q000379:methods*; D002386:Cataract / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011184:Postoperative Period