Figure 3. Lens capsule strength at 4, 5 and 6 mm capsulotomy with and without nucleus.

Lenses were removed with nucleus intact and resistance of the capsulotomy to rupture was measured in mN and the stretching ratio by (size mm + displacement mm)/size. Two mushroom shaped pins were placed posterior to the capsulotomy edge and the rate of pin displacement was set at 6 mm/min (A). Comparison between strength and stretch ratio at 4, 5 and 6 mm are shown in in (B,C) (n = 18). Experiments were repeated following removal of nucleus (D–F) (n = 18) *p < 0.05 and **p < 0.01.