Corneal Endothelial Cell Damage After Lens Extraction Using the Fluid-Based System Compared to Ultrasound Phacoemulsification in Human Cadaver Eyes

PURPOSE: To compare the endothelial cell damage after lens removal using a fluid-based system to conventional ultrasound. METHODS: Twenty human cadaver eyes were randomized to undergo phacoemulsification using either a fluid-based system or conventional ultrasound. After surgery, each corneoscleral button was removed, stained and damaged endothelial cells per square millimeter were assessed using light microscopy. RESULTS: Fluid-based system mean damaged endothelial cells/mm was 60.2 +/- 24.1 compared with 60.4 +/- 42.6 when using conventional ultrasound (P = 0.248). CONCLUSION: The fluid-based system is as safe for the corneal endothelium as conventional ultrasound during cataract removal in human cadaver eyes.