Current surgical techniques inadequate to remove all lens materials in pediatric cases

SAN FRANCISCO — Surgical techniques currently employed to remove lens epithelial cells are insufficient to remove all particles, and a paradigm shift is needed in the concepts associated with pediatric surgery, according to a study presented at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting here.

Brian Zaugg

In the study, 500 adult cadaver eyes from a databank at the David J. Apple Center that had undergone extracapsular cataract extraction and IOL implantation were reviewed for presence of lens epithelial cells (LEC) or lens material. The researchers hypothesized that removal of all lens material would lead to a theoretical reduction in posterior capsular opacification and Soemmering's ring. Adult eyes were used because techniques used in the eyes were similar to what is used in the pediatric population, according to Brian Zaugg, BS.

"In our series, there were no bags that received a score of zero, meaning there were no eyes that did not have LEC material," Mr. Zaugg said.

Quiescent mummified cells no longer capable of causing problematic proliferation were found in 40% of eyes, and viable, miotic cells were found in 60% of eyes.

"There are no surgical means to date to remove 100% of LECs," Mr. Zaugg said.