Intra-correlations between cataract density based on Scheimpflug image, phacodynamics, surgery duration, and...

To assess intra-correlations between lens density based-on Scheimpflug Imaging System, power used during surgery, surgery duration, and endothelial cell loss in eyes with nuclear cataract.

Department of Ophthalmology, King Fahd Hospital of the University, Alkhobar, Saudi Arabia.

Prospective cross-sectional observational study.

The objective lens density and endothelial cell density were measured using the Scheimpflug system and specular microscopy, respectively. Intra-operatively, all phacodynamic parameters and duration of the surgery were documented.

This study of 62 patients (71 eyes) with a mean age of 58.56 ± 10.4 years. The mean Scheimpflug-measured lens density was 13.93 ± 3.27. The mean phacodynamic parameters, namely, power, ultrasound time, and elliptical motion were 13.63 ± 6.38, 1.27 ± 1.12, and 50.56 ± 50.06, respectively. There were a positive linear correlations between the Scheimpflug-measured lens density and phacodynamic parameters, power (AVG %), ultrasound time, and elliptical motion (r = 0.501, r = 0.620, and r = 0.641, respectively; all P < .001), amount of endothelial loss (r = 0.445, P < .001), and surgery duration (r = 0.346; P < .01). Phacodynamic parameters were positively correlated with degree of endothelial loss (P < .01). The length of the surgery failed to show any correlation with damage happened to the endothelium (r = 0.210, P > .05).

A positive correlations were observed between Scheimpflug-measured lens density with phacodynamic parameters, surgery duration, and endothelial loss. A strong correlation was observed between the degree of endothelial cell loss and phacodynamic parameters but not with the length of the procedure.