Alterations of the anterior lens capsule in vitrectomized eyes with silicone oil tamponade.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the electron microscopic findings of the anterior lens capsule in vitrectomized eyes with silicone oil tamponade.


METHODS
Ten eyes of 10 consecutive patients aged 39 to 74 years who had cataract surgery combined with silicone oil removal from December 2006 to May 2009 were included in the study. The control group included 10 patients with cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation without history of systemic or other ocular disease. All anterior capsules underwent electron microscopic examination of the anterior lens capsule.


RESULTS
During the capsulorhexis, the anterior lens capsule was removed. In the silicone oil tamponade group, silicone oil droplets were detected on the posterior surface of the anterior lens capsule in 5 cases (50%) and surface irregularities, pits, and depressions were present in the posterior surface of the anterior lens capsules in all cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Silicone oil droplets may infiltrate the lens capsule, especially in diabetic patients. Surface irregularities may be associated with posterior fibrous pseudometaplasia produced by lens epithelial cells under the anterior lens capsule.
SB Ankara Ulucanlar Eye Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. mcitirik@hotmail.com
Mehmet
M
Citirik
Mustafa F
MF
Sargon
Semiha
S
Has
Selma
S
Bilgin
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D057866:Anterior Capsule of the Lens / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002386:Cataract / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D004322:Drainage; D058450:Endotamponade; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D012827:Silicone Oils; D014821:Vitrectomy
D012827:Silicone Oils