Effect of anterior capsule polish on visual function: A meta-analysis

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between anterior capsule polish and visual function. METHODS: Data were obtained from Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, WanFang, VIP and CNKI up to the end of May 2018, without any date or language restrictions for trials. The modified Jadad scale and the newcastle-ottawa scale were used to assess the quality of included studies. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and posterior capsule opacification (PCO) were used as outcome variables. Data on anterior capsule polish were pooled using weighted, random-effect meta-analysis. RESULTS: One randomized controlled trial and 4 observational cohort studies involving 2533 patients were included in the analyses. There was a statistically significant difference of UCVA (OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.41–2.61) between the polish group and the control group, indicating that anterior capsule polish improved UCVA. Further studies with continuous data also suggested that anterior capsule polish was associated with good UCVA (MD 0.11, 95% CI 0.06–0.16). Posterior capsule opacification rate for 1-year or longer follow-up were extracted for 2561 eyes in 3 studies. Posterior capsule opacification rate was lower in the anterior capsule polish group according to summary odds ratio on PCO rate (OR 0.42 95% CI 0.24–0.73). CONCLUSIONS: Anterior capsule polish prevents complication of modern cataract surgery and benefits on visual function in short term follow-up period.