Endothelial Cell Loss, Cumulative Dissipated Energy, and Surgically Induced Astigmatism in Sutureless Scleral Tunnel Phaco-Assisted Cataract Extraction in Advanced Cataracts

PURPOSE: To evaluate sutureless scleral tunnel phaco-assisted cataract extraction in regards to the cumulative dissipated energy (CDE) used, the resulting endothelial cell loss (ECL), and the surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) in advanced cataracts. METHODS: A prospective interventional uncontrolled case series was performed. Patients with advanced cataracts according to the Lens Opacities Classification System III (LOCS III) had sutureless scleral tunnel phaco-assisted cataract extraction. They were followed up one week, one month, and 3 months postoperatively for SIA and ECL. The used CDE was recorded. RESULTS: The study included 198 eyes: 36 eyes (18.2%) with LOCS III grade nuclear opalescence (NO4) cataracts, 102 eyes (51.5%) with LOCS III grade NO5, and 60 eyes (30.3%) with LOCS III grade NO6. Three months postoperatively, the mean SIA was 0.94 ± 0.71D. The endothelial cell density (ECD) was reduced significantly to 2341.31 ± 471 cells/mm(2) (p=0.0001) with a mean ECL of 5.39%. The mean CDE and ECL% were 0.174 ± 0.46 U/S (2.07%), 0.859 ± 0.42 U/S (5.01%), and 2.306 ± 0.89 U/S (8.01%) in LOCS III grade NO4, NO5, and NO6, respectively. The overall mean CDE was 1.17 ± 0.99 U/S, which was significantly correlated with the ECL (p=0.0001). CONCLUSION: Sutureless scleral tunnel phaco-assisted cataract extraction in advanced cataracts enabled reduction in CDE with good preservation of the ECD and acceptable SIA.