Examination of resistance of the lens capsule against the waterjet

Backround: Although cataract surgery is highly developed today, there are s till problems such as secondary cataract. In polishing the posterior capsul e lens, epithelial cells often remain, causing secondary cataracts. Additio nally, there are the problems of tissue hearing and endothelial cell loss d uring phacoemulsification by ultrasound. This could be another field for im provement of cataract surgery by using the waterjet. Methods: After removing the cornea of freshly enucleated porcine bulbs, we used the water jet from 4 to 12 bar. The hit angel on the capsule varied be tween 45 degrees and 90 degrees. Results: Rupture of the posterior capsule occurred at a mean of 8.5 bar usi ng the jet at 45 degrees and a mean of 8.6 bar using the jet at 90 degrees. Conclusion: The waterjet pressure should not be over 4 bar during polishing of the posterior capsule.