Comparative Study of Corneal Endothelial Changes after Both Phacoemulsification and Manual Small-incision Cataract Surgery

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine for Boys, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Cataract is recognized as a primary etiology of reversible vision impairment globally.
Aim: This investigation aimed to compare the impact of phacoemulsification operation and manual small-incision cataract operation on the endothelium of cornea, utilizing a specular microscope preoperatively, at one month, and at three months postoperatively, to ascertain which procedure preserves corneal parameters most closely to the normal physiological condition.
Patients and methods: This was randomized interventional comparative research included forty eyes. The patients recruited from ophthalmology department Sayed Galal hospital Al-Azhar University and Qalwoon ophthalmic hospital.
Results: The comparison among both groups revealed a statistically significant difference in the mean central corneal thickness 1 month postoperatively (P-value equal 0.016) being significantly higher in group A compared to group B, while statistically insignificant variance was detected among both groups preoperatively, one month and three months after operation.
Conclusion: Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery (MSICS) is safer for the endothelium of cornea than phacoemulsification operation. MSICS and Phacoemulsification both resulted in excellent visual outcomes with few complications, showing no substantial difference between the two procedures. MSICS is less costly, less reliant on technology, capable of addressing all cataract varieties, generally safe, and better suited for advanced cataracts in developing countries.

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