J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  1997 Feb;38(2):221-226.

The Effects of PhacoemulsificationTime and BSS Volume during Phacoemulsification on the Postoperative Corneal Endothelial Cell Loss

• Kim KH
• Oh TH
• Moon NJ

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of phacoemulsification on corneal endothelium by measuring corneal endothelial cell density. Endothelial cell density was examined preoperatively, and at 1 and 2 months postoperatively by specular microscopy. All surgery were performed by one surgeon using same procedure. The average phacoemulsification time was 103 +or- 76 second, and the average used BSS volume was 229 +or- 016 ml. The average endothelial cell loss was 8.6% and 10.1% at postoperatively 1 and 2 month respectively. The change of postoperative endothelial cell density correlated with the phacoemulsification time and this correlation was statistically significant (p<0.05). However, the change of postoperative endothelial cell density did not correlate with the used BSS volume. To compare the postoperative endothelial cell loss according to the phacoemulsification time the patients were divided into 2 groups. In less than 3 minutes group, the average endothelial cell loss was 7.2% at 1 month postoperatively, and 8.3% at 2 months postoperatively. In 3 minutes or over group, the average endothelial cell loss was 12.1% at 1 month postoperatively, 13.9% at 2 months postoperatively. The difference of endothelial cell loss between two groups was statistically significant (p<0.05). From these results we think that phacoemulsification time is an important factor in corneal endothelial damage associated with phacoemulsification.

Keyword

endothelial cell loss; phacoemulsification time; phacoemulsificaion

MeSH Terms

Corneal Endothelial Cell Loss*
Endothelial Cells
Endothelium, Corneal
Humans
Microscopy
Phacoemulsification*