[Influence of 3.0 mm incision coaxial phacoemulsification and microincision cataract surgery (MICS) on corneal thickness].

OBJECTIVE

To compare influence of two different cataract surgery methods on corneal thickness.

METHODS

Prospective, randomized clinical trial with 30 patients undergoing cataract surgery with use of AMO Sovereign Compact-WhiteStar System (15--standard coaxial, 15--microincisional). Central corneal thickness was evaluated by means of Visante OCT (Zeiss Meditec, USA) 1 day before, 1 day, 7 days and 4 weeks after surgery. Equivalent phaco time (EPT) and percentage of phaco power (AVG), was registered after each operation. Surgeons used phaco-chop phacoemulsification technique for nuclear removal.

RESULTS

Mean EPT and mean AVG were comparable in both groups. Mean EPT was 8.06 +/- 4.47 (s +/- SD), in standard coaxial-phaco group and 8.94 +/- 5.75 (s +/- SD) in MICS group. Mean AVG was 13.87 _ 5.12% in standard coaxial-phaco group and 12.96 +/- 5.73% in MICS group. Mean central corneal thickness increase 1 day, 7 days, 4 weeks after cataract surgery, was respectively: in standard coaxial-phaco group: 81.23 +/- 53.44 (microm +/- SD), 64.50 +/- 50.75 (microm +/- SD), 4.05 +/- 15.32 (microm +/- SD); in MICS group: 69.09 +/- 48.69 (microm +/- SD), 7.75 +/- 8.24 (microm +/- SD), 2.51 +/- 5.32 (microm +/- SD).

CONCLUSIONS

Microincision cataract surgery reduces risk of corneal edema when comparing to standard coaxial phacoemulsification. Visante OCT is a useful method of corneal thickness assessment after cataract surgery.