Contributions of the capsulorrhexis to straylight.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To quantify the effect of the capsulorrhexis on straylight and to determine optimal capsulorrhexis size. METHODS: Fifty-six pseudophakic eyes with intact capsulorrhexis were included in the study. Straylight was measured with a straylight meter before and after pupil dilation. Capsulorrhexis and pupil diameter were measured and opacity of the anterior capsule was graded (on a scale of 0-5) with the slitlamp. Capsulorrhexis size and opacity were compared with the difference in straylight values between natural and dilated pupils. RESULTS: The mean capsulorrhexis diameter was 4.5 mm (range, 2.9-6.2 mm). Most anterior capsular rims were opaque in the area of contact with the intraocular lens (62.5% higher than grade 1). Mean straylight before pupil dilation was log(s)=1.25 (range, 0.68-2.13), which increased to 1.46 (range, 0.88-2.22) after pupil dilation, which corresponds to a 62% increase (P <.001). The effect of capsulorrhexis size and opacity on the increase in straylight in scotopic conditions can be quantified by the following formula: Deltas = 19 x (grading of anterior capsular rim) x (fraction of pupil area covered by rhexis). CONCLUSIONS: The influence of size and opacity of the capsulorrhexis via straylight is described in a quantitative model. Capsulorrhexis size must be greater than 4 mm to prevent functional problems at night.

Author information

Author/s: van der Meulen, Ivanka J E (IJ); Engelbrecht, Leonore A (LA); Van Riet, Tom C T (TC); Lapid-Gortzak, Ruth (R); Nieuwendaal, Carla P (CP); Mourits, Maarten P (MP); van den Berg, Thomas J T P (TJ);

Affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Academic Medical Center, A2 Room 123.1, Meibergdreef 9, 1100 DD Amsterdam, the Netherlands. i.j.vandermeulen(-atsign-)amc.uva.nl

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Archives of ophthalmology (Arch Ophthalmol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Oct; vol 127 (issue 10) : pp 1290-5

Dates: Created 2009/10/13; Completed 2009/11/02;

PMID: 19822845, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/2/2009, IMS Date: )

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