AIM: To evaluate the influence of lens capsule contraction on intraocular lens(IOL)decentration after cataract surgery.

METHODS: Totally 40 cases(40 eyes)of senile cataract underwent phacoemulsification combined with IOL implantation. Within 3mo after operation, the anterior capsule opening area was measured by Photoshop software, the IOL decentration was measured by iTrace visual quality analyzer. The influence of anterior capsule opening area on IOL decentration was assessed by Pearson correlation analysis.

RESULTS: At 1d, 1mo and 3mo after operation, anterior capsule opening area was gradually reduced, the difference between different time points was statistically significant(P<0.01); IOL decentration gradually increased, and the difference between different time points was statistically significant(P<0.01); the visual acuity of patients decreased gradually, and the difference between different time points was statistically significant(P<0.01). The change of anterior capsule opening area was positively correlated with IOL decentration(r=0.566, P<0.05), but there was no significant correlation between visual acuity and IOL decentration(r= -0.104, P> 0.05), the change of anterior capsule opening area was negatively correlated with the initial anterior capsule opening area(r= -0.476, P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: The anterior capsule contraction after cataract surgery can lead to IOL decentration.