An October study published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, demonstrated that lens epithelial cells produce specific inflammatory cytokines following cataract extraction and lens injury. This response could be responsible for cataract surgery complications including posterior capsular opacification (PCO). 

In an article published by the University of Delaware in November, “Eye research targets scar tissue that forms after surgery,” researcher and study author, Melinda Duncan, PhD, explained, “Some cells always remain behind after surgery, and that can form scar tissue, which isn’t transparent.” 

Duncan, whose research is funded by the NIH, believes the team has discovered molecules responsible for formation of PCO. More targeted therapy, other than general anti-inflammatory eye drops prescribed after cataract surgery, will hopefully result from this research.

“Normally in the eye, lens cells are completely walled off from the immune system and have no resemblance to immune cells. It turns out that an injury to the lens, such as surgery, changes that.  The data really surprised us because this was completely unknown before.”