Clinical application of a Scheimpflug system for lens density measurements in phacoemulsification.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the relationship between lens density measured using the Pentacam Scheimpflug system and phacodynamics (phacoemulsification time, phacoemulsification energy, and balanced salt solution [BSS] use) in patients with age-related nuclear cataract.


METHODS
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.


METHODS
This prospective observer-masked study was of eyes with age-related nuclear cataract. Objective lens density (0 to 100 points) was determined using the Scheimpflug system. Subjective grading was by the Lens Opacities Classification System III (LOCS III). The correlations between lens density values and phacoemulsification time, phacoemulsification energy, and BSS use were analyzed prospectively.


RESULTS
Fifty-three patients (60 eyes) were evaluated. The mean Scheimpflug-measured lens nuclear density was 14.71 +/- 6.12 (SD). There was a positive linear correlation between the Scheimpflug-measured lens nuclear density and the LOCS III grading scores for nuclear opalescence (NO) and nuclear color (NC) (r = 0.734 and 0.719, respectively; both P<.05). The Scheimpflug-measured lens nuclear density correlated with torsional amplitude, time, and cumulated dissipated energy (CDE) (P<.05), but not with BSS use (P = .195). The CDE was more strongly correlated with Scheimpflug-measured lens nuclear density (r = 0.797) than with LOCS III NO or NC scores (r = 0.614 and r = 0.637, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Scheimpflug-measured lens nuclear density correlated with phacoemulsification time and energy. The Scheimpflug system enabled quantitative cataract grading and may help predict phacodynamics in cataract surgery.
Kim
Jung-Sub
JS
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Chung
So-Hyang
SH
Joo
Choun-Ki
CK
D000085:Acetates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000368:Aged; D002386:Cataract / Q000145:classification*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007907:Lens Nucleus, Crystalline / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008903:Minerals / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000379:methods*; D010781:Photography / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013997:Time Factors
D000085:Acetates; C030660:BSS solution; D004338:Drug Combinations; D008903:Minerals; D012965:Sodium Chloride