Objective:

To determine the loss of corneal endothelial cell after cataract surgery by the phacoemulsification technique.

Methods:

A prospective, longitudinal, descriptive and interventional study was conducted. Fifty-one eyes operated on for cataract by the phacoemulsification technique were studied. Preoperative, as well as postoperative endothelial microscopy at three and six months after the cataract surgery, was performed. Phacodynamic parameters were also studied.

Results:

The mean age was 66.7 ± 11.7 years and there was a predominance of the female sex (53.7%). A significant decrease in the mean values of cell density and hexagonality was observed at three and six months after the cataract surgery. The percentage of endothelial cell loss after surgery was 19.6% ± 0.8%. The mean total ultrasound time was 11.8 ± 4.5 secs, while the effective phacoemulsification time had a mean of 0.008 ± 0.001 secs.

Conclusions:

The count of corneal endothelial cell shows a significant decrease in the mean values of cell density and hexagonality at three and six months after the cataract surgery; the percentage of corneal endothelial cell loss at six months is within normal limits; and a dependent relationship is observed between the effective phacoemulsification time and the percentage of endothelial cell loss.