Functional results in cataract surgery by phacoemulsifi cation and extracapsular extraction

Abstract

Cataract surgery is currently the result of many years of evolution in surgical techniques and biomedical technologies. The techniques used for cataract extraction surgery have evolved signifi - cantly over the last few decades, making it possible, among many other advances, to reduce the size of the incision through which the surgery is performed. The objective is to analyze the visual results in cataract surgery by phacoemulsifi cation and extracapsular extraction techniques, evaluating the best corrected visual acuity, induced astigmatism and postoperative cell density. This is a prospective study of 92 eyes operated on at the public ophthalmic unit in Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela between January and October 2011. Student T tests, related data signs and univariate binary logistic regression were used. The mean differences in best corrected visual acuity and induced astigmatism were not statistically signifi cant when associated between both surgical modalities. The loss of endothelial cells by phacoemulsifi cation was 11.3%. Eyes operated with phacoemulsifi cation are 4 times more likely to obtain better visual acuity. (RR: 3.54, p: 0.038). Postoperative results were of signifi cant improvement in visual acuity better corrected by phacoemulsifi cation technique.