The Relationship Between the Density of Lens and Liquefaction Time Using Liquefaction Device

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of lens density on liquefaction time by using liquefaction device (AquaLase(R), Alcon Laboratories, TX, U.S.A.). METHODS: Cataract surgery using AquaLase(R) was performed on 47 eyes. With a Scheimpflug camera, the density and thickness of lens were measured in eye of each patient preoperatively. During surgery, liquefaction time and total number of pulses were recorded. The correlation of both density and thickness of lens with liquefaction time and total number of pulses was analyzed. RESULTS: The mean density of anterior cortex, nucleus, and posterior cortex was 112.45+/-42.1 computer compatible tapes (CCT), 76.5+/-22.7 CCT, and 70.9+/-52.2 CCT, respectively. The mean thickness was 0.97+/-0.30 mm, 2.76+/-0.54 mm, and 0.81+/-0.24 mm, respectively. The mean liquefaction time was 174.8+/-108.2 seconds. The mean total number of pulses was 4799+/-3007.There was no significant difference between the density of each area of lens (anterior cortex, nucleus, posterior cortex, and total lens) and liquefaction time (p>0.05), and between the thickness of each area of lens and liquefaction time (p>0.05). There was no significant difference between the density of each area of lens and total number of pulses (p>0.05), and between the thickness of each area of lens and total number of pulses (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: When extraction of soft to moderate density cataract was performed with AquaLase(R), liquefaction time and total number of pulse did not correlate to the density and thickness of lens.

The Effect of Phacoemulsification with a Liquefaction Device on Cornea Endothelium

PURPOSE: To access the effect of phacoemulsification using the AquaLase(R) (Alcon Laboratories, TX, U.S.A.) on corneal endothelial cell. METHODS: This study comprised 47 eyes of 43 patients having phacoemulsification with the AquaLase(R). Various corneal endothelial cell parameters, including corneal endothelial cell density, corneal thickness and morphologic change, were evaluated up to 2 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Preoperative mean corneal endothelial cell density was 2818+/-282 cell/mm2. Postoperative mean corneal endothelial cell density was 2682+/-390 cell/mm2 at 1 day, 2701+/-263 cell/mm2 at 1 month and 2721+/-396 cell/mm2 at 2 month. Corneal endothelial cell loss was 4.74%, 4.00% and 3.55% at postoperative 1 day, 1 month and 2 months respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between preoperative and postoperative corneal endothelial cell density (p>0.05). The corneal endothelial cell loss was not increased even though the phacoemulsification time with the AquaLase(R) was increased (p>0.05). Preoperative mean corneal thickness was 559.4+/-37.4 micrometer. Postoperative mean corneal thickness was 586.9+/-35.1 micrometer at 1 day, 573.3+/-30.1 micrometer at 1 month and 554.9+/-26.7 micrometer at 2 month. There was a significant increase in corneal thickness at postoperative 1 day (p=0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference of corneal thickness between preoperative and postoperative 1 month and 2 month (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The phacoemulsification with the AquaLase(R) dose not cause the significant corneal endothelial cell density and corneal thickness change postoperatively.