Initial experience with the HydroSonics instrument to soften cataracts before phacoemulsification

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Techniques
• Cataract Surgery

Background:

• Phacoemulsification is a standard cataract surgery method.
• Reducing ultrasound energy is crucial to minimize ocular tissue damage.
• Fragmenting the cataract nucleus can potentially improve emulsification efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of hydrodelineation in cataract surgery.
• To determine if hydrodelineation reduces ultrasound energy and time during phacoemulsification.
• To compare surgical outcomes and complications with and without hydrodelineation.

Main Methods:

• Hydrodelineation was performed by injecting balanced salt solution (BSS) into the cataract nucleus using an ultrasonically driven needle.
• Six surgeons performed phacoemulsification with and without hydrodelineation.
• Ultrasound time, cumulative displayed energy, complications, and postoperative outcomes were recorded and analyzed.

Main Results:

• Surgeons reported hydrodelineation facilitated phacoemulsification in 91% of cases.
• Significantly less ultrasound time and cumulative displayed energy were used for grade 2+ and 3+ cataracts after hydrodelineation.
• No statistically significant differences in complications or postoperative outcomes were observed between the groups.

Conclusions:

• Hydrodelineation is an effective technique for simplifying phacoemulsification.
• This method reduces the required ultrasound energy and time during cataract surgery.
• Hydrodelineation offers comparable safety and patient outcomes to conventional phacoemulsification.