title: Results of coaxial phacoemulsification through a 1.8-mm microincision in hard cataracts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the results of coaxial phacoemulsification through 1.8-mm coaxial microincision cataract surgery (C-MICS) phacoemulsification with foldable intraocular lens implantation in eyes with hard cataracts in comparison to eyes with soft cataracts.
  
  
  METHODS
  Group 1 consisted of 40 eyes of 40 patients with hard cataracts (grade ≥ 4, Lens Opacities Classification System III scale) and group 2 consisted of 45 eyes of 45 patients with non-mature cataracts (grade ≤ 2, Lens Opacities Classification System III scale). All surgeries were performed by two experienced surgeons under topical and intracameral anesthesia. Examinations were performed preoperatively and 1 month after the surgery. Examined parameters included distance-corrected visual acuity (DCVA), autorefractometry, keratometry, tonometry, endothelial cell counts, and biomicroscopy of the anterior and posterior segment. Surgically induced astigmatism was calculated with vector analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean DCVA was 0.16 ± 0.16 preoperatively and 0.92 ± 0.21 postoperatively in group 1 (P < .05) and 0.62 ± 0.18 preoperatively and 0.97 ± 0.08 postoperatively in group 2 (P < .05). Mean surgically induced astigmatism was 0.48 ± 0.44 in group 1 and 0.53 ± 0.38 in group 2 (P > .05). Mean endothelial cell loss was 11.37% ± 12.87% in group 1 and 2.87% ± 9.66% in group 2 (P < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although density of cataract has an unfavorable influence on early postoperative corneal endothelial cell loss, it did not significantly influence final DCVA and surgically induced astigmatism. C-MICS is a safe and effective method of treatment of cataracts, including cataracts with hard nuclei, and usually leads to good functional outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland. michalwilczynski@wp.pl
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wilczynski
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Supady
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Loba
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Synder
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Omulecki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001251:Astigmatism / Q000209:etiology; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity