Background: The development of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) is one of the commonest complications of modern cataract surgery. The various designs of intraocular lenses (IOL) seem to exert a barrier effect on the proliferation and migration of lens epithelial cells and the following development of PCO. Methods: We set up a cell culture model (advanced 3D capsular bag model) and investigated six differently designed IOL made of different materials as to their effect on cell proliferation. Proliferation and migration of the cells were analysed and documented over a period of 28 days. A cell viability test using the LIVE/DEAD kit (Molecular Probes) was carried out at the end of the investigation. Results: In all tests, lens epithelial cells adhered to and migrated onto the capsular bag. During the culture period, lens epithelial cells migrated only to the optical rim of two of the implanted IOL. On the other four, lens epithelial cells migrated further and covered the whole optical area of the IOL. Conclusions: Certain lens designs seem to have a reducing effect on the development of PCO. Our advanced in vitro capsular bag model is a suitable cell culture model for the investigation of the reducing effect of various IOL on the development of PCO.