Influence of 3.0 mm incision coaxial phacoemulsification and microincision cataract surgery (MICS) on corneal thickness

Introduction
To compare influence of two different cataract surgery methods on corneal thickness.

Material and methods
Prospective, randomized clinical trial with 30 patients undergoing cataract surgery with use of AMO Sovereign Compact-WhiteStar System (15 – standard coaxial, 15 – microincisional). Central corneal thickness was evaluated by means of Visante OCT (Zeiss Meditec, USA) 1 day before, 1 day, 7 days and 4 weeks after surgery. Equivalent phaco time (EPT) and percentage of phaco power (AVG), was registered after each operation. Surgeons used phaco-chop phacoemulsification technique for nuclear removal.

Results
Mean EPT and mean AVG were comparable in both groups. Mean EPT was 8.06 ± 4.47 (s ± SD), in standard coaxial-phaco group and 8.94 ± 5.75 (s ± SD) in MICS group. Mean AVG was 13.87 ± 5.12% in standard coaxial-phaco group and 12.96 ± 5.73% in MICS group. Mean central corneal thickness increase 1 day, 7 days, 4 weeks after cataract surgery, was respectively: in standard coaxial-phaco group: 81.23 ± 53.44 (μm ± SD), 64.50 ± 50.75 (μm ± SD), 4.05 ± 15.32 (μm ± SD); in MICS group: 69.09 ± 48.69 (μm ± SD), 7.75 ± 8.24 (μm ± SD), 2.51 ± 5.32 (μm ± SD).

Conclusions
Microincision cataract surgery reduces risk of corneal edema when comparing to standard coaxial phacoemulsification. Visante OCT is a useful method of corneal thickness assessment after cataract surgery.