Intraindividual capsular bag shrinkage comparing standard and laser-assisted cataract surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the dynamics of capsular bag changes over 3 months of healing after standard cataract surgery and laser-assisted cataract surgery.


METHODS
One hundred six eyes of 53 patients with visually significant cataracts were treated with laser-assisted cataract surgery in one eye and standard phacoemulsification in the other. A capsular measuring ring was implanted in both eyes and effective phacoemulsification time was recorded. Capsular bag diameter was measured at six time points within 3 months of follow-up. Intraindividual capsular bag shrinkage was calculated.


RESULTS
The laser group required less ultrasound energy to remove the softened nucleus than the standard group (effective phacoemulsification time: 0.03 vs 1.25 sec; P < .005). The laser group had statistically significantly less capsular bag shrinkage than the standard group at all time points from 1 to 3 months (P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
Lens position changes within 3 months postoperatively may be lessened with laser-assisted cataract surgery in comparison to standard phacoemulsification due the decreased capsular bag shrinkage during this period. A tendency toward earlier stabilization of the capsular bag diameter with laser-assisted cataract surgery provides potential for more predictable effective lens position and intraocular lens power calculations.
H Burkhard
HB
Dick
Ina
I
Conrad-Hengerer
Tim
T
Schultz
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019923:Capsulorhexis; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies