Abstract
Introduction: Cataract surgery permanently alters the mechanical environment of the lens capsule by placing a hole in the anterior portion and implanting an intraocular lens (IOL) that has a very different geometry from the native lens. We hypothesized that implant configuration and mechanical interactions with the post-surgical lens capsule play a key role in determining long-term fibrotic remodeling. Methods: We developed the first finite element-growth and remodeling (FE-G&R) model of the post-surgical lens capsule to evaluate how implantation of an IOL with and without a capsular tension ring (CTR) impacted evolving lens capsule mechanics and associated fibrosis over time after cataract surgery. Results: Our models predicted that implantation of a CTR with the IOL into the post-surgical lens capsule reduced the mechanical perturbation, thickening, and stiffening along the visual axis in both the remnant anterior and posterior portions compared to implantation of the IOL alone. Discussion: These findings align with patient studies and suggest that implantation of a CTR with the IOL during routine cataract surgery would attenuate the incidence of visually-debilitating capsule fibrosis. Our work demonstrates that use of such modeling techniques has substantial potential to aid in the design of better surgical strategies and implants.