Purpose  to report a case of bilateral capsule contraction syndrome associated with retinitis pigmentosa and histopathogenic findings.
Methods a 42-year-old female patient was referred to our eye institute for decreased visual acuity one month after phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. A thorough ophthalmic examination was performed. Consequently, the right eye was treated with Nd:YAG laser anterior capsulotomy, while the left one treated with surgical anterior capsulotomy and the removed membrane was analyzed by H&E staining.
Results bilateral fibrosis and phimosis of anterior capsule were present in this case without IOL decentration. H&E staining of the membrane showed fibrous tissue subcapsularly with metaplastic lens epithelial cells. After laser and surgical treatment, the visual acuity of both eyes increased. However, there seemed to be a recurrence of capsule contraction syndrome in the eye treated with Nd:YAG laser anterior capsulotomy.
Conclusion  retinitis pigmentosa was a risk factor of capsule contraction syndrome after cataract extraction and in-bag IOL implantation. It may be attributed to proliferated lens epithelial cells and collagen fibers.  Surgical removal of a large piece of anterior capsule was an effective and safe method to manage capsule contraction syndrome without IOL involvement.