Corneal impact of ultrasound and bevel position in phacoemulsification.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the amplitude of ultrasound waves that reach the cornea with the phacoemulsification tip at different angles.


METHODS
Institute for Applied Mechanics and Control Engineering, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany.


METHODS
A model eye was constructed with an ultrasound tip (angle 45 degrees) in the typical position during the procedure and a sensor mounted in the apex of the artificial cornea. The sensor measured the incoming ultrasound waves. Thirty bursts of ultrasound energy were set at 100% power with the bevel of the tip facing up toward the cornea, and 30 bursts were set with the bevel facing down toward the lens.


RESULTS
There was no statistically significant difference in the measurements with the tips bevel up and bevel down.


CONCLUSIONS
There was no significant difference in the corneal load from ultrasound waves with the phacoemulsification tip in a bevel-up or bevel-down position.
Frohn
Andreas
A
University Eye Hospital Tuebingen, Siegen, Germany. andreas.frohn@t-online.de
Dick
Hans Burkhard
HB
Fritzen
Claus Peter
CP
D003315:Cornea / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000379:methods*; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy