Impact of Active Fluidics System on RNFL and GCL in Phacoemulsification

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether cataract surgery performed using the Active Fluidics^® system under low-pressure settings has any measurable impact on the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell layer (GCL), with particular attention to early postoperative structural changes and safety outcomes.

Inclusion criteria comprised age-related cataract N4 NC4, BCVA ≤ 0.6, and subjects aged >18 years. Exclusion criteria encompassed glaucoma therapy, anatomical pathologies, or retinal history. Preoperatively, participants underwent comprehensive ophthalmological assessment. Macular GCL and peripapillary RNFL evaluations were conducted using the Heidelberg Spectralis^® OCT. Visual field (VF) tests were performed with Zeiss Humphrey Field Analyzer 3. Phacoemulsification surgery was performed using the Alcon Centurion Vision System. A month later, participants underwent ophthalmological re-evaluation, repeating OCT and VF testing.

No significant differences were found before and after surgery in GCL. Regarding RNFL thickness, a significant increase was observed in several sectors. Changes in the computerized VF test showed variations, but these were not statistically significant.

We found no significant changes in GCL nor retinal function. However, there was an increase in peripapillary RNFL, likely due to underestimation caused by lens opacification before surgery. Overall, the Alcon^® system allows for safe surgery with reliable long-term results and minimal retinal damage.