Risk factors for endothelial cell loss after phacoemulsification: comparison in different anterior chamber depth groups.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the risk factors for endothelial cell loss after phacoemulsification with implantation of intraocular lens according to anterior chamber depth (ACD).


METHODS
This prospective study included 94 eyes of 94 patients undergoing phacoemulsification cataract surgery. To assess the risk factors for corneal endothelial cell loss, we examined seven variables at 1 day, 1 week, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks postoperatively in each ACD-stratified group.


RESULTS
Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the only variable influencing the percentage decrease in corneal endothelial cell density throughout the postoperative follow-up period in the long ACD group (ACD III) was nucleosclerosis. The variables influencing the percentage decrease in corneal endothelial cell density in the short ACD group (ACD I) at one day and one week postoperatively were corneal incisional tunnel length and nucleosclerosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Risk factors for endothelial cell loss after phaoemulsification were different according to ACD. Long corneal tunnel length can be one of the risk factors for endothelial cell loss in short ACD eyes.
Department of Ophthalmology, St. Vincent's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Suwon, Korea.
Yang Kyeung
YK
Cho
Hwa Seok
HS
Chang
Man Soo
MS
Kim
D000867:Anterior Chamber / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002386:Cataract / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000379:methods*; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D055954:Corneal Endothelial Cell Loss / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography