Inhibition of Posterior Capsule Opacification by 5-Fluorouracil in Rabbits

Abstract
An extracapsular cataract extraction was performed on both eyes of 24 rabbits. Irrigation for 10 min of the capsular bag of the left (test) eye with 8–12 cm3 of 1 litre of BSS-plus® to which had been added 50 mg of 5-fluorouracil significantly inhibited proliferation of the anterior capsular epithelium as compared with the right (control) eyes identically treated except for the omission of 5-fluorouracil (p < 0.001). Corneal endothelial counts did not differ significantly. A reduction in opacification of the posterior capsule is expected from 5-fluorouracil treatment.