The Relationship with the Density of Lens Nucleus and Phacoemulsification Time

ABSTRACT

To investigate the relationship of the density, thickness of lens nucleus and cortex with phacoemulsification time, we measured the preoperative density and length of lens nucleus and cortex of 100 eyes with a Scheimpflug camera. We performed phacoemulsification on the same phacoemulsification technique using a phacoemulsifier aspirator by the same surgeon. The preoperative mean values of the density of lens nucleus and cortex were 127. 09+/-57.44 and 30. 33+/-15. 24, respectively. The mean values of the thickness for both were 3.05+/-0.42mm and 0.65+/-0.17mm, respectively. The mean value of phacoemulsification time was 92.68+/-56.98 seconds. The phacoemulsification time was increased significantly as the density of lens nucleus was increased (P<0.0001). However, the thickness of the lens nucleus and cortex and the density of cortex had no significant effect on the phacoemulsification time (p=0. 235, p=0.811). Preoperative evaluation with a Scheimpflug camera is particularly valuable for cataractous patients with corneal endothelial disease deciding on phacoemulsification.