Lack of correlation between intraocular inflammation and after-cataract formation in the rabbit eye

Abstract

PURPOSE: To determine whether an increased or reduced inflammatory response following cataract surgery influences the development of after-cataract. SETTING: Department of Preclinical Ophthalmology, Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden. METHODS: Rabbits that had had cataract surgery were given endotoxin, ovalbumin, dexamethasone, or diclofenac. Aqueous humor, leukocytes, and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) were analyzed, and the wet weight of the after-cataract was determined. RESULTS: The wet weight of the after-cataract was unaffected by endotoxin and 67% lower in the eyes treated with ovalbumin than in the control eyes on day 56. Aqueous humor concentrations of leukocytes and PGE(2) were 94% and 87% lower in the group treated with dexamethasone than in the control group on day 7, and the concentration of PGE(2) was 98% lower in the diclofenac group; however, the wet weight of the after-cataract was unaffected by both treatments. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that an increased inflammatory response does not increase the development of after-cataract and a reduction in the inflammatory response does not reduce the development of after-cataract.