Preservation Of Endothelial Corneal Cells - Comparison Of Two Phacoemulsification Systems With Iop Control

To evaluate the efficacy of modern phacoemulsification systems with anterior chamber stabilization and intraocular pressure (IOP) control in preserving endothelial cells during standard cataract surgery.

LLD “Shevchyk Vasyl eye microsurgery”, Chernihiv, Ukraine.

In our study bilateral simultaneous phacoemulsification in 14 patients with cataract grade 3 were perfomed. 

Right eye of each patient was operated on Stellaris Elite Vision Enhancement System (Bausch+Lomb, USA) and left - on Centurion Vision System with Active Sentry (Alcon, USA).

All surgeries were performed on 21 mmHg IOP level by one surgeon using the same technique, viscoelastics and instruments. 

The count of endothelial cells in central area just before surgery and after 30 days were done, using specular microscope SP-1P (Topcon).

Before surgery the counts of endothelial cells in both eyes were similar - 2370±210 and 2390±235 cells/mm 2 , between-group differences – P= 0.97).

On the first day post operation, a clear, transparent cornea in both eyes was noticed.

After 1 month, a loss of endothelial cells in both groups were noticed, again without any significant differences - 3.8±3.6% for right eye and 3.7±3.4%, between-group differences – P= 0.98). 

Also we compared this results with our previous data from patient with cataract grade 3, operated on standart phacoemulsification system without IOP control  - lost of endothelium cells was much higher - 13.6±6.6% (with the significant difference for both IOP control devices P= 0.005).

Modern phacoemulsification devices equipped with IOP and anterior chamber stability control contribute to the preservation of endothelial corneal cells, enhancing the safety of cataract surgery.