Change of corneal biomechanical properties caused by phacoemulsification using corneal visualization Scheimpflug technology

Objective To explore the corneal biomechanical characteristics change in cataractous eyes before and after phacoemulsification using corneal visualization Scheimpflug technology (Corvis ST) and evaluate the influence of 3 mm clear corneal incision on corneal biomechanics. Methods A self-control study was performed.Thirty-six eyes of 36 patients who received phacoemulsification were enrolled in Tianjin Eye Hospital from March to May 2015.The first/second applanation time, the first/second applanation length, the first/second applanation velocity, the highest concavity time, the highest concavity radius, peak distance(PD), deformation amplitude (DA), intraocular pressure, corrected intraocular pressure and central corneal thickness(CCT) were measured in preoperation, postoperative 1 week and postoperative 1 month.This study protocal was approved by Ethic Committee of Tianjin Eye Hospital, and written informed consent was obtained from each patient prior to any medical examination. Results The first/second applanation length, intraocular pressure, corrected intraocular pressure, PD, DA and CCT were significantly different among preoperation, postoperative 1 week and postoperative 1 month (F=3.42, 5.24, 4.21, 3.82, 3.91, 4.03, 3.62; all at P 0.05). Conclusions Corneal biomechanical properties occur change in the early stage after phacoemulsification and return to normal in postoperative 1 month . Key words: Corneal biomechanics; Cataract/surgery; Phacoemulsification; Corneal visualization Scheimpflug technology