Phacoemulsification Associated Corneal Damage Evaluated by Corneal Volume

To determine the usefulness of the Pentacam corneal volume assay in the assessment of corneal endothelial damage caused by phacoemulsification and aspiration (PEA). Prospective, comparative, observational case series. PEA was performed in 85 eyes by three surgeons under different conditions. Central cell density (CD) was determined using a specular microscope before and one month after surgery. Pentacam was used before and one day, one week, and one month after surgery to determine 3- and 10-mm corneal volumes. For all surgeons, no significant differences in the 3-mm corneal volumes were noted between the before and one-month after surgery values. However, 10-mm corneal volumes at one month were significantly higher than preoperative levels. No correlation was noted between the increasing rate of the 10-mm corneal volume and decreasing rate of CD. Pentacam-determined corneal volumes may be useful in assessing PEA-caused corneal damage.