Purpose: To evaluate the survival of the capsular bag without the support of functional lens epithelial cells (LECs).
Setting: David J. Apple, MD, Laboratories for Ophthalmic Devices Research, John A. Moran Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
Methods: One hundred slides of cadaver pseudophakic eyes (from 1991 to 2000) stained with hematoxylin and eosin were analyzed to determine the presence of Soemmering's ring, integrity of the capsular bag, fixation configuration of the haptics, and presence and functionality of the LECs.
Results: A Soemmering's ring was present in 69% of cases. The capsular bags were intact in 100% of cases. In-the-bag fixation was seen in 44% of cases. In 89% of cases, either no cells or nonfunctional LECs were found.
Conclusion: Results suggest the capsular bag can survive anatomically without the support of functioning LECs.