Comparison of Endothelial Cell loss between Phacoemulsificaiton and Extra Capsular Cataract Extraction

Objective: To quantitatively measure and compare the loss of corneal endothelial cells following Phacoemulsification and Extra Capsular Cataract Extraction with posterior chamber intra ocular lens implantation. Design: A double blind prospective study Place duration of study: Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad between April 2007 and March 2008. Patients Methods: One hundred and twenty patients were equally and randomly allocated for two cataract surgical procedures: phacoemulsification and extra capsular cataract extraction. The parameters assessed were the central corneal endothelial cell count using specular microscope on the first post operative day and one week after surgery Results: There was significantly higher endothelial cell loss in the Extra Capsular Cataract Extraction group as compared to the Phacoemulsification group on both the first post-op day and one week after surgery. Conclusion: There is a significant difference in endothelial cell loss after conventional extra capsular cataract extraction as compared to Phacoemulsification. Phacoemulsification procedure has short term safety in experienced hands for cataract extraction.