CLINICAL SCIENCE Corneal Endothelial Cell Loss After Cataract Extraction by Using Ultrasound Phacoemulsification Versus a Fluid-based System

Purpose: To compare in vivo corneal endothelial cell loss (ECL) after fluid-based versus ultrasound phacoemulsification. Methods: In this prospective randomized study, 2 groups of 21 patients underwent phacoemulsification with ultrasound (group 1) or a fluid-based system (group 2). A ‘‘divide and conquer’ ’ method with capsular bag lens implantation was performed. Cataracts graded up to nuclear opalescence 4.9 in Lens Opacities Classification System III (LOCS III) only were included. Endothelial cell density (ECD), percent hexagonality, endothelial cell area (ECA), coefficient of variation in cell size, and central corneal pachymetry were measured preoperatively, 7 days, 1 month, and 3 months after surgery. Statistical analysis was performed by using a 2-tailed Student t test. Results: Average nuclear opalescence was identical in both groups (P = 0.908). Mean ECD was 18676 451 and 20316 400 cells/mm2 at 3 months postoperatively. Mean ECL was 498 6 415 (20.6 %