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Purpose: To reduce capsular opacification by a peri‐surgical treatment of the lens capsule with drugs in an in vivo rabbit model. Lens‐refilling surgery is a potential therapeutic intervention to treat patients with a cataract lens. The lens material is replaced with an injectable (bio)polymer that retains the natural mechanical and optical lens properties, therewith allowing accommodation. The occurrence of capsular opacification mediated by lens epithelial cells negatively affects accommodation and vision and should be avoided in this lens restoration approach. Methods: An in vivo rabbit animal model was used with lens replacement with a silicone‐based gel‐like polymer and concurrent treatment of the lens epithelium with drugs. A case‐study approach was applied as both drug combinations and implantation times were varied. The following drugs were investigated for their potential to prevent capsular opacification long‐term: actinomycin D, methotrexate, paclitaxel and Tween‐20. All were administered in a hyaluronic acid vehicle. The rabbits were clinically followed for periods up to 4 years postimplantation. Eyes, corneas and lenses were analysed post‐mortem using MRI and confocal microscopy. Results: Treatment combinations containing actinomycin D generally led to the least appearance of capsular fibrosis. The use of Tween‐20 or paclitaxel without actinomycin D resulted in much earlier and pronounced fibrotic responses. The aspect of capsular opacification was highly variable in individual animals. Application of the drugs in a hyaluronic acid vehicle appeared to be a safe method that spared the corneal endothelium. Conclusion: The feasibility of long‐term prevention of fibrosis over a period of more than 4 years has been demonstrated in lens refilling in the rabbit model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: PurposeTo evaluate the influence of intraoperative infusion bottle height on the power of refilled pig lenses.: SettingResearch Laboratory, Pharmacia Intraocular Lens Manufacturing Plant, Groningen, The Netherlands.: MethodsThis study comprised 2 groups of pig eyes. In 1 group, the lens was refilled with silicone oil using a plug to close the capsulorhexis; in the other group, no plug was used. The anterior chamber depth, lens thickness, and vitreous chamber depth were measured by A-scan ultrasound. The total refraction was measured with a Hartinger refractometer. Measurements were performed with the infusion bottle at 0 cm, 25 cm, 50 cm, 75 cm, and 100 cm above eye level. Calculations using a model eye were performed to evaluate the change in lens power based on empirical data.: ResultsThe mean change in the power of refilled lenses caused by varying the height of the infusion bottle was 1.8 diopters. Lenses refilled with a plug had a thickness similar to that of natural lenses. Lenses refilled without a plug were significantly thinner (P<.05). The power of lenses refilled with a plug was significantly higher that of lenses refilled without a plug (P<.05).: ConclusionsDuring lens refilling, infusion bottle height influenced the resulting lens power. Using a plug to close the capsulorhexis resulted in refilled lens dimensions similar to those of the natural lens. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]