INTRAOPERATIVE AND POSTOPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS OF HIGH-FREQUENCY CAPSULOTOMY AND CONTINUOUS CURVILINEAR CAPSULORHEXIS

Purpose: To compare the intraoperative complications and postoperative blood aqueous barrier (BAB) disturbance after high-frequency capsulot omy and continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC). Setting: Vienna Ge neral Hospital, Vienna, Austria. Methods: This prospective, randomized clinical study evaluated 53 eyes with senile cataract. Patients were divided into two groups: high-frequency capsulotomy (n = 27) or CCC (n = 26). The surgical procedure and postoperative therapy were standard ized for both groups. The intraoperative course was documented, and po stoperative complications were examined by biomicroscopy 3 months post operatively. Without the pupil dilated, BAB disturbance was evaluated with a laser flare-cell meter at 7, 3, 7, and 14 days postoperatively. The findings were analyzed statistically. Results: Intraoperatively, the high-frequency capsulotomy group had a significantly higher rate o f radial tears in the anterior lens capsule. Postoperatively, this res ulted in a higher incidence of postoperative false positioning of the intraocular lens. At no time were the flare-cell meter results between groups. statistically significant. Conclusion: High-frequency capsulo tomy resulted in no more trauma than CCC. It can be a good alternative to conventional techniques, particularly in eyes with no red reflex. However, the technique is associated with less mechanical stability.