Efficiency of phacoemulsification handpieces with high and low intraocular pressure settings.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficiencies of the Active Sentry handpiece at low intraocular pressure (IOP) (20 mm Hg) with the Ozil handpiece at high IOP (50 mm Hg).

SETTING

Private practice (Medford, Oregon).

DESIGN

Single-site, prospective, double-arm, randomized, contralateral eye study.

METHODS

The first operated eye was randomized to receive phacoemulsification with either the Active Sentry handpiece at 20 mm Hg (Active Sentry group) or the Ozil handpiece at 50 mm Hg (Ozil group). The second operated eye was assigned to the other group. Outcome measures included phacoemulsification time, total aspiration time, aspiration time during phacoemulsification, fluid use, cumulative dissipated energy, total torsional time, total longitudinal time, and central corneal thickness.

RESULTS

36 participants (72 eyes) completed the study. Mean total aspiration time was 90.1 ± 16.4 seconds in the Active Sentry group and 85.1 ± 17.0 seconds in the Ozil group ( P > .05). Mean aspiration time during phacoemulsification was 40.9 ± 8.5 seconds in the Active Sentry group and 40.4 ± 8.8 seconds in the Ozil group ( P > .05). Mean total phacoemulsification time was 29.5 ± 7.3 seconds in the Active Sentry group and 31.0 ± 7.4 seconds in the Ozil group ( P > .05). Mean total fluid volume was 32.8 ± 4.6 mL in the Active Sentry group and 33.8 ± 6.0 mL in the Ozil group ( P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study suggest that the efficiencies of the Active Sentry handpiece at low IOP settings and the Ozil handpiece at high IOP are similar.