Influence of Capsular Tension Rings on the IOL–Capsule Complex in Patients With Long Axial Length: A Clinical Observation Based on SS-OCT

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of a capsular tension ring (CTR) on the intraocular lens (IOL)–capsule complex after cataract surgery in patients with long axial length. Methods: This was a prospective study. Patients underwent phacoemulsification and IOL implantation, with or without CTR implantation. Swept-source optical coherence tomography was performed at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively to determine the postoperative aqueous depth (PAD), capsular bend index (CBI), and IOL tilt and decentration. Spherical equivalent values were obtained through subjective refraction and autorefraction. Root mean square was adopted to evaluate the indices listed above. Results: Forty-three patients (56 eyes) were included in the study. Generalized estimating equation analysis of PAD showed a statistical difference between groups ( P = .031). The RMS of the change in PAD was smaller in the CTR group than in the non-CTR group during the 3 months after surgery ( P = .015). CBI in the CTR group increased more from 1 to 3 months after surgery than that in the non-CTR group ( P = .025). The RMS of the change in vertical decentration was smaller in the CTR group than in the non-CTR group during the 3-month follow-up ( P = .009). Conclusions: CTR implantation can stabilize the axial position of the IOL within the capsular bag after cataract surgery in patients with long axial length without affecting the refractive stability. The formation of capsular bend may be slightly delayed in the early stage after CTR implantation, but it accelerates from 1 to 3 months after surgery. [ J Refract Surg . 2024;40(9):e654–e661.]