A Comparison of the Efficacy of Cataract Surgery Using Aqualase® with Phacoemulsification Using MicroFlow® System

PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes after phacoemulsification performed with the AquaLase® and phacoemulsification in MicroFlow® system, including surgically induced astigmatism (SIA), corneal endothelial cell damage and postoperative recovery of visual acuity. METHODS: The cataracts of Lens Opacities Classification System, version III (LOCS III) nuclear grade below 2 were subjected in this study. Nineteen eyes underwent cataract operation using AquaLase® (Alcon Laboratories, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.A.). A control group (19 eyes) used the MicroFlow® system (Millenium, Stortz, U.S.A.) and was selected by matching age, sex, systemic disease, corneal astigmatism and corneal endothelial cell density. All the surgeries were performed by the same operator. SIA, corneal endothelial cell loss, visual acuity, and corneal thickness were evaluated postoperatively. RESULTS: SIA in the group using AquaLase® was less than that of the group using MicroFlow® system (P=0.022) at 2 months postoperatively. Evaluation of corneal endothelial cell loss, recovery of visual acuity and corneal thickness found no statistically significant differences between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Cataract surgery using AquaLase® induces less surgically induced astigmatism in mild to moderate cataracts.