Endothelial cell loss secondary to two different phacoemulsification techniques.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVE

The endothelial cell count after phacoemulsification serves as a sensitive indicator for the level of corneal damage caused by different phacoemulsification techniques.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

In a prospective and randomized study, the "Reversed Tip and Snip" technique and the "Divide and Conquer" technique were performed in groups of 30 patients each. The corneal endothelial cell count was measured preoperatively as well as 4 weeks and 3 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

The endothelial cell count showed significant (P < .001) reduction by approximately 10% after the "Reversed Tip and Snip" technique and by approximately 15% (P < .001) after the "Divide and Conquer" technique. The latter produced a significantly (P < .001) greater cell loss.

CONCLUSIONS

The "Reversed Tip and Snip" phacoemulsification technique produces less endothelial cell loss than the "Divide and Conquer" technique.