Background and purpose: Histologically, the posterior capsule opacification (PCO) corresponds to regenerative tissue of transformed lens epithelial cells (LECs) with extracellular matrix production. In this study, the influence of ionizing radiation on proliferating LECs and the development of PCO was investigated in vitro.
Material and methods: Each four and 14 pork lenses, respectively, were irradiated with 6 MeV electrons with single doses of 8, 10, 12, and 20 Gy. 1-2 h after irradiation the lens was removed by capsulorrhexis and hydrodissection. After fixation of the capsular bag in a special device the proliferation of residual LECs was examined daily. The experiment was considered to be finished when the capsular bag was completely opacified by confluent cell proliferates.
Results: Single dose irradiation with electrons in a dose range from 8 to 12 Gy significantly protracted the development of PCO with complete inhibition of PCO after application of 20 Gy.
Conclusion: To inhibit PCO in vitro, a single dose of 20 Gy is necessary. The actual in vitro model allows an optimal investigation of PCO formation under different external influences and is therefore very suitable for radiobiological questions.