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Following cataract surgery proliferation of residual lens epithelial cells may occur causing secondary opacification and loss of visual acuity. Using an in vitro system the abilities of bovine and porcine lens epithelial cells to adhere to two types of intraocular lens have been assessed. Lens epithelial cells adhere significantly less to lenses composed of poly 2 hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) than to polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA).

Fluid aspirated from the anterior chamber and fluid drained from the conjunctival sac during 101 extracapsular cataract operations was examined for bacterial contamination. Bacteria were grown by enrichment culture from the conjunctival sac of 90 eyes and from the anterior chamber aspirate of 29 eyes. Conjunctival fluid, stained with fluorescein, was demonstrated to flow into the anterior chamber during the aspiration stage of extracapsular cataract extraction and during intraocular lens implantation. It is suggested that this fluid from the conjunctival sac, contaminated with bacteria, routinely enters the anterior chamber during extracapsular cataract extraction and is the likely source of some cases of post-operative endophthalmitis.

The experience is presented of three independent surgeons using Hydrogel posterior chamber intraocular lenses in a combined series of 157 endocapsular cataract extractions. One hundred and fifty of these eyes were examined after a minimum follow-up period of one year and 92.0% achieved visual acuity of 6/12 or better, and 98.6% achieved this if pre-existing pathology was excluded. Insertion of this lens has proved to be simple, the adaptions of technique required are described and the complications are presented and analysed.