AIM:To explore the effect of planned capsule edge release in preventing anterior capsular contraction and contrast sensitivity function(CSF) after cataract surgery.METHODS:Forty-two eyes of thirty age-related cataract patients from July 2011 to September 2011 at our Center were treated with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens(IOL) implantation or manual nuclear fraction through small incision and IOL implantation. The capsulorhexis size was 5mm in diameter. The eyes were randomly divided into two groups:edge released group(n=20) and none edge released group(n=22). In addition, visual activity, the shape of anterior capsule, capsule hole in diameter and location of IOL were also observed in the current study. The CSF and glare sensitivity function(GFS) were measured with OPTEC 6500 under distance vision conditions (with spatial frequencies of 1.5, 3.0, 6.0, 12.0, 18.0c/d). Differences and characteristics among groups were compared and analyzed.RESULTS:In the day time without glare, there was a significant difference in CSF between edge released group and none edge released group at 1.5, 2.0c/d(all P<0.05) and edge released group higher than none edge released group. While in the day time with glare, a significant difference in CSF was also found between the two groups at 1.5, 18c/d(all P<0.05) and edge released group higher than none edge released group. There was no significant difference at all other spatial frequency between the two groups.CONCLUSION:Planned capsule edge release is found to be effective in limiting the degree of anterior capsular contraction, and maintaining the better CSF much longer.