title: Pharmacological attempts to reduce posterior capsule opacification after cataract surgery--a review.
abstract: Reduction of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) after cataract surgery has been achieved since the general acceptance of posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation 30 years ago. Attention to surgical technique on the one hand and changes in lens design and materials on the other have synergistically reduced the incidence of PCO to less than 5% at 5 years. But lens epithelial cells still proliferate and pharmacological prevention has been largely unsuccessful so far. Any agent must be toxic to these lens epithelial cells without being toxic to the corneal endothelium. This review looks at many substances that have been tried and a few that have been partly successful without yet entering clinical practice. Possibilities for future clinical research are canvassed.
authors.affiliation: Calvary Hospital, Bruce and Calvary John James Hospital, Deakin, Yarralumla, ACT 2600, Australia. twalker@grapevine.com.au
authors.forename: Thomas D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003318:Corneal Opacity / Q000517:prevention & control; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular / Q000009:adverse effects; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D004008:Diclofenac; D014212:Tretinoin; D003907:Dexamethasone