[Endothelial damage after planned extracapsular cataract extraction and phacoemulsification of hard cataracts].

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare the endothelial damage after planned extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and phacoemulsification of very hard cataracts.

METHODS

In this prospective, randomized study, 41 patients with age-related and very hard cataract were divided into two groups: in group 1 (21 patients) an extracapsular cataract extraction was performed and in group 2 (20 patients), phacoemulsification. In both groups, intraocular lenses were implanted in the capsular bag. Preoperatively and 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively, a complete ophthalmological examination, endothelial specular microscopy, and ultrasonic pachymetry were done. Endothelial cell loss, pleomorphism, polymegathism and corneal thickness were studied.

RESULTS

Both groups presented an endothelial cell loss in the postoperative time, as compared with the preoperative values, but there were no significant differences among the postoperative values (1, 3 and 6 months). Six months after surgery, mean cell loss was 28.50% in group 1 and 34.77% in group 2. There were no differences among the indexes of pachymetry, polymegathism and pleomorphism between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Endothelial response was not statistically different between the two studied groups.