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Soft-shell viscoelastic technique protects endothelium even with hard nucleus

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MIYAZAKI, Japan — The soft-shell technique protects corneal endothelial cells during cataract surgery in eyes with hard lens nuclei, according to a study.

Researchers here at Miyata Eye Hospital performed phacoemulsification on 60 eyes of 57 patients with a hard lens nucleus (grade 3 or higher). Either the soft-shell technique was used, with Healon (Pharmacia) and Viscoat (Alcon), or a control technique was used with Healon alone.

No significant intraocular pressure elevations were reported in either group. Central corneal thickness significantly increased in the control group 1 day after surgery; the soft-shell group had no significant change. The mean rate of endothelial cell loss 3 months after surgery was 6.4% in the soft-shell group and 16.3% in the control group (P = .0003).

The study is published in the September issue of Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery.