We compared the effect of biconvex and convex-plano (posterior plano) intraocular lenses on posterior capsule opacification (PCO) following continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC) in 212 eyes. During the three years following surgery, the cumulative frequency of neodymium:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy, calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method, was significantly higher in patients in the biconvex group (32.5% by the third year) than in those in the convex-plano group (5.9% by the third year) (P < .05, Wilcoxon's test; P < .01, Cox-Mantel's test). Measured with the tracing method, the area within a 5 mm diameter central circle that developed Elschnig pearls was 2.93 +/- 4.91 mm2 in the biconvex group and 1.66 +/- 2.37 mm2 in the convex-plano group. In the study, PCO was less severe in the convex-plano group than in the biconvex group following CCC. These results are contrary to those reported previously in patients with can-opener capsulotomy.