THICKENING AND MULTILAMELLAR APPEARANCE OF THE ANTERIOR LENS CAPSULE AND RELATED FACTORS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate which factors (including age, sex, grade of cataract, diabetes mellitus (DM), pseudoexfoliation, glaucoma, and atopy) are correlated with thickening and/or multilamellar appearance of the anterior lens capsule. Seventy-two anterior lens capsules were obtained during cataract surgeries. They were fixed, embedded in paraffin, and stained with Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and Masson-Trichrome. We measured thickness of the anterior capsules on microscopic photographs. In addition, multilamellar appearance of the anterior capsules was graded by an experienced ophthalmic pathologist and scored (0-3.0). By multiple regression analysis we evaluated whether the seven factors described above were correlated with thickness and/or multilamellar appearance of the anterior capsules. Thickness of the anterior capsule was correlated with DM and age (p=O.O095 and p= O.O138, respectively) . Multilamellar score was significantly correlated with age (p<O.OOO1) . Both had no significant relationships with other factors. This is the first report that showed the above mentioned relationships with multiple regression analysis.