Long-term results of various anterior capsulotomies and radial tears on intraocular lens centration

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term effects of various anterior capsulotomies and radial tears on intraocular lens (IOL) centration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-five eyes of 87 senile cataract patients operated with extracapsular technique were evaluated in IOL tilt and decentration with a new method of measurement. According to the type of anterior capsulotomy and number of radial tears, five groups were constituted as, can opener, envelope, continous curvilinear capsulorrhexis (CCC), CCC with one radial tear (relaxing incision at quadrant 12), and CCC with two relaxing incisions (relaxing incisions at quadrants 6 and 12), respectively. RESULTS: Early decentration and tilt in groups CCC and CCC with one radial tear were significantly lower than the other groups (P < 0.05). Late decentration and tilt in the CCC group were significantly lower than the other groups (P < 0.01). Highest values of tilt and decentration were determined in envelope capsulotomy. Additional symmetric relaxing incision at quadrant 6 revealed no effect on the prevention of decentration and tilt compared to one relaxing incision. CONCLUSION: CCC with one radial tear is not ideal but sufficient for IOL centration. All other anterior capsulotomy techniques, other than intact CCC, do not guarantee the IOL centration.