Ablation of lens epithelial cells with a laser photolysis system: histopathology, ultrastructure, and immunochemistry.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate efficacy of a neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser photolysis system in removing lens epithelial cells (LECs) and characterize the effect of the laser on laminin and fibronectin involved in LEC adhesion and migration.


METHODS
Cadaver eyes were evaluated using the Miyake technique. The lenses were removed with phacoemulsification. The modified Nd:YAG laser was used to clean the LECs from the capsule. Only the fornix was cleaned in some eyes and the anterior subcapsular area in other eyes. Some areas were not treated and acted as controls. Standard irrigation/aspiration (I/A) removal of LECs was performed in additional eyes. The eyes were analyzed using light microscopy and immunohistochemical staining.


RESULTS
Histopathologic evaluation showed that the laser removed the LECs from the anterior lens capsule and from the fornix. Immunohistochemical staining showed fibronectin and laminin staining in the untreated areas that was absent in the treated areas. Standard I/A removal of the LECs showed absence of cells but persistent laminin and fibronectin. Electron microscopy showed epithelial cells in untreated areas with an absence of the LECs and debris in treated areas.


CONCLUSIONS
The laser photolysis system removed LECs from the anterior lens capsule and capsule fornix. Along with the cells, laminin, fibronectin, and cell debris remained in the untreated areas but were removed by the treatment. This treatment may be useful in preventing posterior capsule opacification.
Mamalis
Nick
N
John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132, USA. nick.mamalis@hsc.utah.edu
Grossniklaus
Hans E
HE
Waring
George O
GO
Werner
Liliana
L
Brubaker
Jacob
J
Davis
Don
D
Espandar
Ladan
L
Walker
Rudolf
R
Thyzel
Reinhardt
R
D002448:Cell Adhesion; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism; D002465:Cell Movement; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007797:Laminin / Q000378:metabolism; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000601:surgery; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D010782:Photolysis; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism; D019063:Tenascin / Q000378:metabolism; D062826:Zonula Occludens-1 Protein
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; C407243:F11R protein, human; D005353:Fibronectins; D007797:Laminin; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; C569042:TJP1 protein, human; D019063:Tenascin; D062826:Zonula Occludens-1 Protein