Influence of phacoemulsification on eyes with low corneal endothelial cell density

Abstract

Objective To observe the damage of phacoemulsification and intraocular lens(IOL) implantation in eyes with low corneal endothelial cell density (ECD). Methods This is a prospective case-control study. Patients who accepted phacoemulsification and IOL implantation were divided into two groups according to age and nuclear hardness. The patients with corneal ECD between (600-1000)/mm2 were divided into the clinical trial group and those over 2300/mm2 into the control group. There were 35 eyes of 35 cases in each group. The ECD and central corneal thickness (CCT)were measured preoperatively and 3, 6 months postoperatively, and the percentage of cell loss and increase in CCT were compared between two groups. Results There was no significant difference in the percentage of corneal endothelial cell loss between two groups at 3 months postoperatively (χ2=1.97, P=0.16), and there was no significant difference at 6 months postoperatively(χ2=0.50, P=0.48). The percentage of increase in CCT was significantly greater in the clinical trial group than in the control group at 3 months postoperatively(χ2=10.83, P=0.00), although there was no significant difference at 6 months postoperatively(χ2=1.27, P=0.26). Conclusion Corneal endothelial cell damage after phacoemulsification and IOL implantation in eyes with low ECD is slight and comparable to that in healthy eyes. The increase of CCT may be temporary after phacoemulsification, but then most recovers considerably by 6 months postoperatively. Key words: Phacoemulsification; Implantation, lens, intraocular; Corneal endothelial cell; Density, low; Influence