Contact information
Type
Scientific
Primary contact
Dr Jana Nekolová
ORCID ID
Contact details
University Hospital in Hradec Králové
Department of Ophthalmology
Sokolská 581
Hradec Králové
50005
Czech Republic
+420 60 410 6256
jani.nekolova@seznam.cz
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Protocol/serial number
N/A
Study information
Scientific title
Acronym
Study hypothesis
Posterior capsule opacification (PCO) is the most frequent complication of crystalline lens extracapsular extraction. When PCO reaches the central part of IOL (intraocular lens), it can induce a decrease in visual acuity after cataract surgery. Many preventive factors and many surgical techniques decreasing secondary cataract development exist but there is still no extended procedure of its complete eradication. AquaLase is a new crystalline lens removal technology using the method of liquefaction of lens material by the pulses of warmed balanced salt fluid produced just inside the aspiration port of the tip. As the AquaLase tip is made of smooth rounded-bevel polymer rather than metal, the risk of capsule tears is reduced making this method more capsule friendly. Thus the lens epithelial cells (LECs) removal from the capsule bag is much easier which may be preventive for the PCO occurrence and progress. Subjective EPCO 2000 and objective OSCA are systems for computer PCO assessment.
The study is aimed at comparison of PCO extent after AquaLase and NeoSoniX cataract removal modalities using two types of software for PCO quantification, and at the comparison of these two different methods for PCO measurement. Better results in PCO for AquaLase are expected. While using this device, it is difficult to rupture the posterior capsule. Several studies have shown that the technology may have applications in polishing the capsule through mechanical washing of the lens epithelial cells (LEC) from the capsule bag with the fluid pulses. The reduction of LECs has been shown to help prevent PCO. The OSCA is a newly presented system of PCO computer assessment, evolved from previous systems. It is based on location-sensitive entropy based texture analysis of digital images. It was presented by Aslam in 2006. The OSCA results are compared to EPCO 2000 outcomes in this study. The EPCO 2000 is a computer-assisted system of PCO morphological assessment which incorporates planimetric and grading assessment. No correlation between OSCA and EPCO 2000 outcomes is expected.
Ethics approval
Ethics Committee at University Hospital in Hradec Králové, Sokolská 581, 50005 Hradec Králové, Czech republic. Date of approval: 04/10/2007
Study design
Prospective, single-centre, randomised controlled study.
Primary study design
Interventional
Secondary study design
Randomised controlled trial
Trial setting
Not specified
Trial type
Prevention
Patient information sheet
Condition
Cataracts
Intervention
The AquaLase is used in the right eye and NeoSoniX in the left eye of each patient. The same IOL (Alcon AcrySof® Single Piece Intraocular Lens) is implanted in all eyes.
Examination is carried out at 1, 2, 3 and 5 years after surgery. Digital retroillumination photographs of pseudophakic anterior segments, after attaining maximal pupil dilatation are obtained using a CSO Epsilon Lyrae photo slit lamp. Exact focusing on the IOL and posterior capsule is also carried out. The images are computer analyzed with the EPCO 2000 and OSCA software. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) is measured using Snellen optotypes pre- and postoperatively. The "Nd: YAG" laser capsulotomy incidence is evaluated.
Intervention type
Other
Phase
Not Specified
Drug names
Primary outcome measures
The following will be measured at 1, 2, 3 and 5 years after surgery:
1. EPCO index for minimal, mild, moderate and severe opacities and total EPCO index for PCO under entire IOL optic (score 0 = no opacities, 4 = maximal opacities)
2. OSCA score. The possible range is from 0 (no PCO) to approximately 15 (practical expected maximum). Typical OSCA values for images with very little or no PCO is around 0.5. Values for patients that are deemed to warrant laser capsulotomy is typically around 4 - 5.
3. Best corrected visual acuity measured using Snellen optotypes at 6 metres distance
Secondary outcome measures
The "Nd:YAG" laser capsulotomy rate at 1, 2, 3 and 5 years after surgery. This shows how many capsulotomies are needed for treatment of PCO-induced decrease of BCVA.
Overall trial start date
11/11/2004
Overall trial end date
20/10/2012
Reason abandoned
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
1. Bilateral non-brunescent cataract (according to the Buratto classification - a cataract grade less than 5)
2. Both eyes with cataract with similar density grade
3. No other severe ocular pathology potentially affecting visual acuity (patients with mild age-related macular degeneration [ARMD] were not excluded)
4. Age 40 or older
5. Both males and females
6. Written informed consent to surgery and willing to participate in the study
7. Good compliance
Participant type
Patient
Age group
Adult
Gender
Both
Target number of participants
75
Participant exclusion criteria
1. Brunescent cataract
2. Severe ocular pathology potentially affecting visual acuity
3. Unable to achieve good artificial mydriasis
4. No informed consent
Recruitment start date
11/11/2004
Recruitment end date
20/10/2012
Locations
Countries of recruitment
Czech Republic
Trial participating centre
University Hospital in Hradec Králové
Hradec Králové
50005
Czech Republic
Sponsor information
Organisation
University Hospital in Hradec Králové (Czech Republic)
Sponsor details
c/o Dr Jana Nekolová
Department of Ophthalmology
Sokolská 581
Hradec Králové
50005
Czech Republic
+420 49 583 3395
jani.nekolova@seznam.cz
Sponsor type
University/education
Website
Funders
Funder type
University/education
Funder name
The trial is mainly funded internally by the University Hospital in Hradec Kralove. The trial is also supported by research project grant from the Ministry of Health of Czech Republic (ref: MZO 00179906).
Alternative name(s)
Funding Body Type
Funding Body Subtype
Location
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
Not provided at time of registration
Intention to publish date
Participant level data
Not provided at time of registration
Results - basic reporting
Publication summary
Results in http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18201683
Publication citations
-
Results
Nekolová J, Pozlerová J, Jirásková N, Rozsíval P, Kadlecová J, Comparison of posterior capsule opacification after two different surgical methods of cataract extraction., Am. J. Ophthalmol., 2008, 145, 3, 493-498, doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2007.10.026.