ENDOTHELIAL-CELL LOSS SECONDARY TO 2 DIFFERENT PHACOEMULSIFICATION TECHNIQUES

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The endothelial cell count after phacoemulsi fication serves as a sensitive indicator for the level of corneal dama ge caused by different phacoemulsification techniques. PATIENTS AND ME THODS: In a prospective and randomized study, the ''Reversed Tip and S nip'' technique and the ''Divide and Conquer'' technique were performe d in groups of 30 patients each. The corneal endothelial cell count wa s measured preoperatively as well as 4 weeks and 3 months postoperativ ely. RESULTS: The endothelial cell count showed significant (P < .001) reduction by approximately 10% after the ''Reversed Tip and Snip'' te chnique and, by approximately 15% (P < .001) after the ''Divide and Co nquer'' technique. The latter produced a significantly (P < .001) grea ter cell loss. CONCLUSIONS: The ''Reversed Tip and Snip'' phacoemulsif ication technique produces less endothelial cell loss than the ''Divid e and Conquer'' technique.