Outcomes Following Phacoemulsification With 1.8 & 2.2mm Incision: Randomized Clinical Trial

Intraoperative Performance & Postoperative Outcomes Following Phacoemulsification With 1.8 & 2.2mm Incision: Randomized Clinical Trial

Cataract surgical techniques have significantly changed in recent years with the widespread adoption of smaller and smaller clear corneal incisions for phacoemulsification. Microincision surgery has many advantages, including reduced surgically induced astigmatism, faster visual recovery, and reduced intra and postoperative inflammation. Curently, microcoaxial phacoemulsification is being performed through 1.8 as well as 2.2 mm incisions. However, there is still a debate as to which is the best absolute incision size for microcoaxial cataract surgery. The aim of this study is to evaluate incision stability following microcoaxial phacoemulsification performed through 1.8 and 2.2 mm systems, as well as compare intraoperative performance and postoperative outcomes following microcoaxial phacoemulsification performed through these two incision sizes.

Cataract surgical techniques have significantly changed in recent years with the widespread adoption of smaller and smaller clear corneal incisions for phacoemulsification. Microincision surgery has many advantages, including reduced surgically induced astigmatism, faster visual recovery, and reduced intra and postoperative inflammation. In the recent times, microcoaxial phacoemulsification has gained popularity. The main advantage of this newer technique is that it uses the same methods as the conventional method but with smaller incisions. Curently, microcoaxial phacoemulsification is being performed through 1.8 as well as 2.2 mm incisions. However, there is still a debate as to which is the best absolute incision size for microcoaxial cataract surgery. The aim of this study is to evaluate incision stability following microcoaxial phacoemulsification performed through 1.8 and 2.2 mm systems, as well as compare intraoperative performance and postoperative outcomes following microcoaxial phacoemulsification performed through these two incision sizes.

At end of surgery, stromal hydration of all incisions will be performed.0.0125% trypan blue will be instilled on the conjunctival surface.After 2 minutes, the surface will be irrigated with balanced salt solution. 0.1ml aqeous aspirate will be obtained from the anterior chamber.Concentration of trypan blue in the aspirate will be ascertained by UV visible spectrophotometry. Log dilutions of concentration of trypan blue will be used for statistical analysis

Inclusion Criteria: Uncomplicated age related cataracts, NO grade II III, IV (LOCS III classification) - Exclusion Criteria: Ocular comorbidity, glaucoma, uveitis, shallow anterior chamber, maximal pupillary dilatation <6mm, high myopia (axial length > 25mm), previous ocular trauma or surgery, pseudoexfoliation, traumatic cataract, subluxated cataract

Lee KM, Kwon HG, Joo CK. Microcoaxial cataract surgery outcomes: comparison of 1.8 mm system and 2.2 mm system. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2009 May;35(5):874-80. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrs.2008.12.031.