The role of the Soemmerring's Ring in the pathogenesis of post-capsule opacification and other post-surgical opacifications

Purpose: There is misunderstanding regarding the pathogenesis of many diseases and opacifications that occur within the eye after anterior segment surgery. We test the hypothesis that the Soemmerring's Ring is the structure of origin of multiple conditions ranging from simple PCO to capsular phimosis. Methods: We examined the anterior segments of previously operated eyes (n=16,000) with special reference to a tracing of cells from the region of the peripheral lens to the point within the eye where they settle. This tracing was done using the Miyake-Apple technique. Results: Examination of the capsular bags of th…