J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2007 Jan;48(1):19-26.

Endothelial Cell Damage in Microincison Cataract Surgery and Coaxial Phacoemulsification

• Kim HJ
• Kim JH
• Lee DH

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the damage to corneal endothelial cells following coaxial phacoemulsification and bimanual microincision cataract surgery (MICS).
METHODS
We measured and compared the changes in the corneal endothelial mean cell density, cell size variation coefficient, hexagonality, and central corneal thickness in senile cataract patients who had received either coaxial phacoemulsification (Group 1, n=20), MICS using ultrasound (Group 2, n=20), and MICS using laser (Group 3, n=20). The endothelial cell parameters and corneal thickness were evaluated preoperatively and at 1 week, 1 month, and 2 months postoperatively.
RESULTS
There was no significant difference among the three groups in terms of the endothelial cell parameters and corneal thickness during two months (p>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
MICS is a safe technique that does not appear to be associated with more damage to the corneal endothelium than coaxial phacoemulsification. A longer follow-up study is necessary to investigate its potential benefits for replacing conventional surgery.

Keyword

Coaxial phacoemulsification; Corneal endothelial cell damage; Microincision cataract surgery

MeSH Terms

Cataract*
Cell Count
Cell Size
Corneal Endothelial Cell Loss
Endothelial Cells*
Endothelium, Corneal
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Phacoemulsification*
Ultrasonography