The relationship between the density of lens and liquefaction time using liquefaction device.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of lens density on liquefaction time by using liquefaction device (AquaLase, Alcon Laboratories, TX, U.S.A.).


METHODS
Cataract surgery using AquaLase was performed on 47 eyes. With a Scheimpflug camera, the density and thickness of lens were measured in eye of each patient preoperatively. During surgery, liquefaction time and total number of pulses were recorded. The correlation of both density and thickness of lens with liquefaction time and total number of pulses was analyzed.


RESULTS
The mean density of anterior cortex, nucleus, and posterior cortex was 112.45+/-42.1 computer compatible tapes (CCT), 76.5+/-22.7 CCT, and 70.9+/-52.2 CCT, respectively. The mean thickness was 0.97+/-0.30 mm, 2.76+/-0.54 mm, and 0.81+/-0.24 mm, respectively. The mean liquefaction time was 174.8+/-108.2 seconds. The mean total number of pulses was 4799+/-3007. There was no significant difference between the density of each area of lens (anterior cortex, nucleus, posterior cortex, and total lens) and liquefaction time (p>0.05), and between the thickness of each area of lens and liquefaction time (p>0.05). There was no significant difference between the density of each area of lens and total number of pulses (p>0.05), and between the thickness of each area of lens and total number of pulses (p>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
When extraction of soft to moderate density cataract was performed with AquaLase, liquefaction time and total number of pulse did not correlate to the density and thickness of lens.
Kang
Seungbum
S
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Chung
Sung Kun
SK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002386:Cataract / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D010781:Photography; D013997:Time Factors
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