Variation in postoperative endothelial cell counting by specular microscopy in patients operated for cataracts by SICS and phacoemulsification

Abstract

The study of endothelial cells provides important clinical information on corneal function and viability. The percentage of cell loss after cataract surgery varies depending on the experience of the surgeon and the surgical technique used. This study compares the decrease in endothelial cell count after cataract surgery by two surgical techniques, FACO and SICS in 50 patients between 45 and 88 years of age (mean age: 60.4 ± 10.3 years old), with a predominance of females (60%); 30 underwent cataract surgery by phacoemulsification and 20 by SICS. The cell count of the corneal endothelium, before and after the intervention and the average loss of cells, was 2399.7 ± 377.7, 2188.1 ± 416.6 and 211.6 ± 242.0, respectively. The percentage of reduction due to surgery was 8.8% overall, being significantly higher in patients undergoing SICS (12.5%) compared to those operated by Phaco (6.3%). Endothelial cell densities at risk (less than 2000 cells / mm2) were found in 12% of the patients' eyes which increased to 28% after surgery. The results of this study are consistent with the percentage of endothelial cell reduction reported by other authors.