A comparison of the efficacy of cataract surgery using Aqualase with phacoemulsification using MicroFlow system.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the outcomes after phacoemulsification performed with the AquaLase and phacoemulsification in MicroFlow system, including surgically induced astigmatism (SIA), corneal endothelial cell damage and postoperative recovery of visual acuity.


METHODS
The cataracts of Lens Opacities Classification System, version III (LOCS III) nuclear grade below 2 were subjected in this study. Nineteen eyes underwent cataract operation using AquaLase (Alcon Laboratories, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.A.). A control group (19 eyes) used the MicroFlow system (Millenium, Stortz, U.S.A.) and was selected by matching age, sex, systemic disease, corneal astigmatism and corneal endothelial cell density. All the surgeries were performed by the same operator. SIA, corneal endothelial cell loss, visual acuity, and corneal thickness were evaluated postoperatively.


RESULTS
SIA in the group using AquaLase was less than that of the group using MicroFlow system (P=0.022) at 2 months postoperatively. Evaluation of corneal endothelial cell loss, recovery of visual acuity and corneal thickness found no statistically significant differences between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Cataract surgery using AquaLase induces less surgically induced astigmatism in mild to moderate cataracts.
Ryu
Hyun-Wook
HW
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Park
Shin-Hae
SH
Joo
Choun-Ki
CK
D001251:Astigmatism / Q000209:etiology; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome