AIM:To compare two phaco techniques, namely phaco prechop with phaco chop and divide and conquer, and to discuss the technical advantages of phaco prechop with phaco chop

METHODS:The study included 131 patients(156 eyes)with age-related cataract eyes divided into 2 groups, group A including 68 patients(82 eyes), in which phaco prechop with phaco chop was performed, and group B including 63 patients(74 eyes), in which divide and conquer was performed. The mean parameters including average power(AP), U/S time, accumulated energy complex parameter(AECP), mean endothelial cell count, mean endothelial cell loss, intraoperative complications, postoperative uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA)at 1d and 1wk, and corneal edema were reported in the two groups both preoperative and postoperative.

RESULTS:The subgroups with same grade of lens nucleus hardness were compared. Parameters such as AP, U/S time, AECP in group A were significantly less than those in group B. Postoperative corneal clarity and UCVA at 1d in group A was better than that in group B. No significant difference was found in UCVA at 1wk after operation between the two groups. The difference in mean endothelial cell count at 3mo postoperative between the two groups was statistically insignificant(P>0.05), however the difference in endothelial cell loss at 3mo postoperatively between the two groups was statistically significant(P<0.05). Two cases in groups A(2.4%)had posterior capsular rents compared to four cases(5.4%)in group B.

CONCLUSION:Compare with divide and conquer, phaco prechop with phaco chop utilized less phaco time, energy, and the rate of endothelial cell loss at 3mo postoperatively, and better early postoperative uncorrected visual acuity.