The Effect of Phacoemulsification with a Liquefaction Device on Cornea Endothelium.

Purpose: To access the effect of phacoemulsification using the AquaLaseⓇ (Alcon Laboratories, TX, U.S.A.) on corneal endothelial cell. Methods: This study comprised 47 eyes of 43 patients having phacoemulsification with the AquaLase. 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 was increased (p>0.05). Preoperative mean corneal thickness was 559.4±37.4 µm. Postoperative mean corneal thickness was 586.9±35.1 µm at 1 day, 573.3±30.1 µm at 1 month and 554.9±26.7 µm 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 dose not cause the significant corneal endothelial cell density and corneal thickness change postoperatively.