Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To determine whether the incidence of endophthalmitis and the overall complication rate differ between phacoemulsification cataract surgery using clear corneal and scleral tunnel incisions. Methods: Medical records of all phacoemulsification cataract surgeries performed at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System between November 1, 1999 and October 31, 2002 were examined. Results: A total of 1309 records were reviewed. Overall, there were 7 cases of endophthalmitis (0.53%) and 98 total complications (7.48%). The clear corneal incision group (n=912) had 6 cases of endophthalmitis (0.66%) and 68 total complications (7.46%). The scleral tunnel incision group (n=397) had 1 case of endophthalmitis (0.25%) and 30 total complications (7.56%). The difference in the incidence of endophthalmitis between the two groups was not statistically significant (p=0.60). Conclusions: The overall intraoperative and perioperative complication rate was similar between clear corneal and scleral tunnel approaches for cataract surgery. A clinical trend was demonstrated indicating that the incidence of endophthalmitis may be higher in clear corneal incisions than scleral tunnel incisions.
Keywords: cataract • endophthalmitis