The Effect of Extracapsular Cataract Extraction Using Nucleus Dislocation into Anterior Chamber on Corneal Endothelium

ABSTRACT

The nucleus delivery method using nucleus dislocation into the anterior chamber is more safe and easier to maintain a intact lens capsule than conventional "push and pull" method when the continous circular capsulorhexis(CCC) has been performed. To investigate the effect on the corneal endothelium of nucleus dislocation method, time analysis on the changes of central corneal endothlial cell density(CECD) in two groups-extracapsular cataract extraction(ECCE) using nucleus dislocation into the anterior chamber group and a conventional ECCE group-was studied for two months. The study was performed on 18 eyes of 18 cataract patients who were operated on with ECCE using nucleus dislocation into the anterior chamber method, and 10 eyes of 10 cataract patients who were operated on with the conventional ECCE method. Central corneal endothelial cell density(CECD) was measured using specular microscopy, preoperatively and at 1 month and 2 months of postoperation. The average postoperative endothelial cell loss at 1 month was 7.20 +/- 2.98% in the experimental group and 7.88 +/- 2.93% in the control group, and at 2 months postoperation was 9.05 +/- 2.96% in the experimental group and 9.34 +/- 2.95% in the control group. The change in CECD between the two groups was not statistically significant.