Corneal Effects of Small Incision Extracapsular Cataract Extraction Versus Phacoemulsification

Purpose: To study the safety of small incision extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and phacoemulsification on the cornea. Methods: Sixty eyes of sixty patients were included in the study. Stop and chop phacoemulsification was performed in Thirty eyes while small incision extracapsular cataract extraction was performed in the other thirty eyes. All subjects underwent complete ophthalmological examination, nuclear grading, ultrasound, specular microscopy and corneal pachymetry. Results: There were increase in corneal thickness in both groups. The difference between the two groups was insignificant. The density of endothelial cells decreased postoperative without any significant difference between two groups. Significant and equal endothelial cell losses occur following both studied techniques. Nuclear grade have positive correlation with higher endothelial cell loss. Age, sex and axial length (AL) do not affect endothelial cell loss (ECL). Conclusion: Stop and chop technique is easier and has earlier postoperative visual recovery than ECCE.