Corneal endothelial cell loss during phacoemulsification: bevel-up versus bevel-down phaco tip.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To compare corneal endothelial cell loss during cataract extraction by phacoemulsification with 2 different phaco-tip positions.

SETTING:

Ophthalmic Research Center and Department of Ophthalmology, Labbafinejad Medical Center, Shahid Beheshti Medical University, Tehran, Iran.

DESIGN:

Randomized clinical trial.

METHODS:

Eyes scheduled for cataract extraction were randomly assigned stop-and-chop phacoemulsification with the phaco tip in the conventional bevel-up position or with the phaco tip in the bevel-down position. During surgery, the effective phacoemulsification time (EPT) was recorded. Preoperative endothelial cell parameters were compared with measurements taken 3 months postoperatively.

RESULTS:

Each group comprised 30 eyes (30 patients). There were no statistically significant differences in age, sex, anterior chamber depth, axial length, or EPT between the 2 groups. The mean preoperative endothelial cell density (ECD) was 2544 cells/mm(2) ± 64 (SD) in the bevel-up group and 2471 ± 59 cells/mm(2) in the bevel-down group (P=.610). Postoperatively, both groups had a significant decrease in ECD. The mean endothelial cell loss was 5.9% in the bevel-up group and 13.6% in the bevel-down group (P=.012). The percentage of hexagonal cells and coefficient of variation in cell size were not different between the 2 groups preoperatively or postoperatively; however, after surgery, there was a significant decrease in the percentage of hexagonal cells in both groups.

CONCLUSION:

Corneal endothelial cell loss during phacoemulsification was significantly higher when the phaco tip was in the bevel-down position than in the conventional bevel-up position.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE:

No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

• Authors: Amir Faramarzi, Mohammad Ali Javadi, Farid Karimian, Mohammad Reza Jafarinasab, Alireza Baradaran-Rafii, Fariba Jafari, Mehdi Yaseri
• Journal: Journal of cataract and refractive surgery (J Cataract Refract Surg) Vol. 37 Issue 11 Pg. 1971-6 (Nov 2011) ISSN: 1873-4502 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21940143 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2011 ASCRS and ESCRS. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Aged
• Cell Count
• Corneal Endothelial Cell Loss (etiology, pathology)
• Endothelium, Corneal (pathology)
• Female
• Humans
• Intraocular Pressure
• Lens Implantation, Intraocular
• Male
• Phacoemulsification (adverse effects, instrumentation, methods)
• Postoperative Complications
• Prospective Studies
• Tonometry, Ocular
• Visual Acuity (physiology)