Endothelial Cell Loss Following Conventional Extra Capsular Cataract Extraction and Phacoemulsification in the Local Population

Abstract

Objective: To compare severe loss of corneal endothelial cell following Extra capsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and Phacoemulsification. Methods: It was an observational case series study. conducted at the Department of (Jphthalmolo!_IN, Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre Karachi, from 15' September 2009 to I5th March 2010. on 80 patients that were included according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 4o of them underwent phacoemulsification while 4o underwent ECCE. Informed and written consent was taken for surgery and for inclusion in the study. Risk and benefits of both Phacoemulsification and ECCE were explained to all patients prior to enrollment, Researcher took history and filled the proforma. Patient of both groups underwent non-contact specular microscope_ to count corneal endothelial cell density (MCD) preoperatively and postoperative after 1' week and after 3" week. The data obtained was statistically analyzed and results were tabulated. Results: Among the 80 patients who underwent cataract extraction. 21(26.3°0) had severe decrease in endothelial cell count. Among patients who underwent ECCE only 6 patients had severe endothelial cell loss compared to 15 patients who underwent phacoemulsification (1) value of less than 0.05). Severe corneal endothelial cell loss followint4 Phacoemulsilication is significantly hider than the Extra capsular cataract extraction ( ECCE).