Abstract
Purpose::
To evaluate an injectable flexible and biocompatible polymeric scaffold for lens regeneration following endocapsular lens extraction in young New Zealand white rabbits.
Methods::
Endocapsular lens extraction by phacoemulsification and irrigation/aspiration of the lens through a 2 mm capsulorrhexis was performed in 6 New Zealand white rabbits. Following removal of the lens, a 2.7 or 4.5 mm silicone plug was inserted into the capsule bag and maneuvered behind the anterior capsulotomy. A cohesive hyaluronic acid (HA), Healon® OVD, was injected to coat the capsule bag prior to injection of the polymeric scaffold in one eye. In the opposite eye, the polymeric scaffold was injected without any other biodegradeable material. The animals were followed postoperatively by slit lamp biomicroscopy and photography for 2 months.
Results::
Immediately postoperative, the capsule bag and polymeric scaffold were clear in all eyes in both groups. By the second exam at 2 weeks, anterior capsule fibrosis was noted in all eyes in the polymeric scaffold only group. The fibrosis remained stable in 4 eyes and gradually increased in 2 eyes. In contrast the anterior capsule remained clear in 4 eyes in the Healon® OVD / polymeric scaffold group. This suggests that hyaluronic acid may have an antifibrotic effect. Peripheral and posterior capsule lens regrowth surrounding the polymeric scaffold was first noted in one eye at day 20 in the polymeric scaffold group and at day 15 in the Healon® OVD / polymeric scaffold group. Lens regrowth gradually developed in all eyes by day 42 and was generally clear in the anterior and peripheral capsule bag and more opacified posterior to the polymeric scaffold.
Conclusions::
Limited lens regeneration was observed as early as 15 days surrounding the polymeric scaffold following endocapsular lens extraction in 3 month old New Zealand white rabbits. Overall lens regrowth was clear in the anterior and periphery and slightly opaque posterior the polymeric scaffold. The administration of Healon® OVD prior to injection of the polymeric scaffold was associated with significantly less anterior capsule fibrosis.
Keywords: regeneration • intraocular lens • posterior capsular opacification (PCO)