Comparing the efficacy and safety of phacoemulsification in white mature and other types of senile cataracts

AIM: To compare the intraoperative difficulty and postoperative outcome in patients who have white mature cataract in one eye and other types of senile cataract in the other eye undergoing clear corneal phacoemulsification and foldable intraocular lens implantation. METHODS: 82 patients who had white mature cataract in one eye, posterior subcapsular, cortical, nuclear, or mixed type cataract in the other eye were enrolled in this prospective study. Postoperative outcomes, intraoperative difficulties related to capsulorhexis, and phacoemulsification were analysed between the two groups of eyes. Postoperative examinations were done at 1 day, 1 week, 1 and 3 months. RESULTS: Postoperative visual acuity, central corneal thickness, intraocular pressure, and rate of posterior capsule rupture were not significantly different between the two group of eyes (p>0.05). Mean effective phaco time, frequency of postoperative corneal oedema and posterior capsular plaque were found to be significantly higher in the mature cataract group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A one stage, 5 mm continuous capsulorhexis was achieved using trypan blue and generous amounts of retentive viscoelastic agent in eyes with white mature cataract. Intraoperative difficulties and postoperative outcome of clear corneal incision phacoemulsification surgery and foldable intraocular lens implantation were similar in white mature and other types of senile cataract. Topical anaesthesia in phacoemulsification of eyes with white mature cataract is safe and well tolerated.