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. 2011;4(3):293-7.
doi: 10.3980/j.issn.2222-3959.2011.03.17. Epub 2011 Jun 18.

Confocal microscopic evaluation of cornea after AquaLase liquefaction cataract extraction

Jiang-Yue Zhao  1 , Ming-Wu Wang, Qi Sun, Jin-Song Zhang
Affiliations

Confocal microscopic evaluation of cornea after AquaLase liquefaction cataract extraction

Jiang-Yue Zhao et al. Int J Ophthalmol. 2011.

Abstract

Aim: The most recent and innovative AquaLase liquefaction technology has offered an alternative to lens extraction. Many studies have investigated its functions and advantages. This article focuses on evaluating the in vivo microscopic cornea changes after AquaLase liquefaction by using a laser confocal microscope.

Methods: In this perspective, randomized case study, 37 eyes of 35 patients submitted to cataract surgery were chosen to undergo AquaLase liquefaction cataract extraction. Each patient was assessed before the operation, on the 1(st), 7(th), and 30(th) postoperative days, and 6 months after the cataract extraction. The morphologies and quantitative comparisons of corneal cells and corneal nerves layer by layer were evaluated in vivo with the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph III-Rostock Cornea Module (HRT-III RCM) confocal microscope. ANOVA and Post-Hoc Bonferroni test were carried out to compare the results pre- and post-operation.

Results: ANOVA results indicated no post-operation changes for epithelium and anterior stroma cells. Irregular segments of sub-basal nerve fiber were most pronounced seven days post-operation. In the mid and posterior stroma, keratocytes were obvious compared with the preoperative condition. Corneal endothelium cells became obviously swollen in cytoplasm and nucleus. The mid and posterior stroma cell density decreased from the 1(st) to 7(th) postoperative days (P<0.05). The corneal endothelium cell density decreased (P<0.05) and did not revert to the preoperative level after six months (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Slight microstructural abnormalities were identified in the corneal recovery process after AquaLase liquefaction. AquaLase liquefaction cataract extraction is safe for cornea.

Keywords: aquaLase liquefaction; cataract; cornea changes.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Normal central corneal morphology of preoperation ( 380µm×380µm )
A: Sub-basal corneal nerves; B: Sub-basal corneal nerve fiber; C: Day 7 post-operation; D: Langerhans cells
Figure 2
Figure 2. Normal corneal stroma preoperation (380µm×380µm)
A: Anterior; B: Mid
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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