[Diathermic high-frequency capsulorhexis in cataract surgery].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficiency of diathermic high-frequency capsulorhexis in cataract surgery.

METHODS

After injection of viscoelastic material into the anterior chamber, a continuous circular capsulotomy (CCC) was performed using a diathermic high-frequency capsulorhexis machine in 34 eyes of 30 cataract patients during extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) combined with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.

RESULTS

Successfully CCC was made in 31 eyes. A small peripheral radial capsular tear was detected in 3 eyes. No postoperative corneal edema and other complications were found in all eyes. The postoperative corrected visual acuity > or = 0.5 was accounted for 91.2%.

CONCLUSION

Diathermic high-frequency capsulorhexis is a simple, safe and effective method for ECCE (or Phacoemulsification) combined with IOL implantation. It is especially indicated for those eyes with hypermature cataract, traumatic cataract and children with congenital cataract.