Comparison of central corneal edema and visual recovery between liquefaction and conventional phacoemulsification in soft cataracts

Abstract

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study is to assess central corneal edema and visual recovery after cataract surgery performed according to two technologies: conventional ultrasonic and liquefaction (Aqualase®). METHODS:This is a prospective contralateral study in wich 20 patients with comparable preoperative conditions were submitted to cataract surgery were evaluated. Preoperative assessment involved complete ophthalmological examination and the study included patients with bilateral cataracts up to grade 2, according to the Lens Opacity Classification System II. The same cristaline fracture technique was used in all cases, and surgical procedures were performed by the same experienced surgeon, using two technologies: liquefaction or conventional phacoemulsification. Postoperative central corneal edema was measured by corneal optical pachymetry (Orbscan II®) on the 1st, 3rd, 7th and 10th postoperative days. RESULTS:None of the 20 patients submitted to surgery was lost during the postoperative follow-up or excluded from the analysis. On the first postoperative, the visual acuity average was 0.031 logMAR in the Aqualase® group and 0.043 logMAR in the conventional surgery group. No statistical difference was detected in the assessment of visual acuity throughout the postoperative period. Central corneal pachymetry varied from 543.93 + 34.69 preoperatively to 545.08 ± 25.67 on the last day of follow-up in the Aqualase® group, and from 543.13 + 30.62 to 536.08 + 34.89 in the conventional technique group, without statistical significance. CONCLUSION:This study suggests that both techniques are equally effective for surgery on lenses with grade I or II cataract, and that they provide similar results in terms of visual recovery and central corneal edema.