Posters

Investigation of the causes of endothelial cell loss after phacoemulsification: ultrasound energy or something else?

Poster Details

First Author: F.Blasetti ITALY

Co Author(s):    F. Spedale                    

Abstract Details

Purpose:

The aim of the study was to investigate the role of ultrasound (US) energy in corneal endothelial cell loss (ECL) after uneventful phacoemulsification performed by a single surgeon who used the same phacoemulsification machine, but different US levels

Setting:

This retrospective study analyzed data from patients who underwent uncomplicated cataract surgery from June to July 2017 at the operative unit of ophthalmology, hospital of Chiari

Methods:

Thirty-nine eyes of thirty-nine patients were divided into two groups (A and B) and analyzed. Group A included 15 patients in which the mean percentage of US used during phacoemulsification was 19,5%; group B included 24 patients in which the mean percentage of US used was 9,56%. Endothelial cell counts were done in the central part of the cornea using a non-contact automatic microscope preoperatively and 90 days after surgery. Information about age, sex, nuclear density, time of surgery was recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using Student’s t test. A p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant

Results:

There was a not statistically significant difference about preoperative mean cell density, firmness of the nucleus, time of surgery, age and sex of patients. Difference about ECL after 90 days was not statistically significant in the two groups, despite the percentage of US used in group A was double then that in group B.

Conclusions:

The results of the study would seem to reduce the role of ultrasound energy in endothelial cell loss after phacoemulsification: other factors, such as fluidics, could be more involved in cell loss and need to be investigated. Anyway, larger studies are necessary to confirm this result

Financial Disclosure:

None