Use of ultrasonic pachymetry to compare the changes in postoperative corneal thickness in extracapsular cataract extraction and in phacoemulsification

Abstract

Objective The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the changes in corneal thickness after extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and phacoemulsification using ultrasonic pachymetry. Background During cataract surgery, several mechanisms may lead to corneal endothelial injury and consequent edema. Ultrasonic pachymetry is the gold standard technique to evaluate corneal thickness changes following different types of cataract surgeries. Patients and methods Of the 50 patients included, 25 patients underwent phacoemulsification (group 1) and 25 patients underwent ECCE (group 2). The inclusion criteria were corneal clarity, absence of lens subluxation, axial lengths of 21-24 mm, and fully dilatable pupils. The exclusion criteria were pre-existing corneal disease, lens subluxation, pseudo-exfoliation syndrome, coexisting eye disease, or a complicated cataract surgery. Corneal pachymetry was carried out preoperatively and on postoperative days 1, 7, 14, and 21. Results The mean preoperative central corneal thickness (CCT) was 546.64 ± 49.95 in group 1 and 537.12 ± 41.01 in group 2 ( P > 0.05). The postoperative day 1 CCT was 627.52 ± 66.93 in group 1 and 682.88 ± 68.85 in group 2 ( P P P P > 0.05). Conclusion Ultrasonic pachymeter is a reliable instrument that can be used to obtain rapid, accurate, and reproducible measurements of corneal thickness. In short-term follow up, the postoperative corneal edema after phacoemulsification cataract surgery offers faster recovery compared with that after ECCE.