AIM: To study the effect of torsional mode phacoemulsification on cornea in patient with age-related cataract.

METHODS: Totally 161 age-related cataract patients(196 eyes)were assigned randomly to phacoemulsification by torsional mode(Group A)or conventional ultrasound mode(Group B)in our hospital from January 2012 to December 2014. The intraoperative data of effective ultrasound time(UST)and effective cumulative dissipated energy(CDE)were recorded. Postoperative outcomes and the change of the best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), corneal edema degree(CED), central corneal thickness(CCT)and endothelial cell count were also recorded and compared.

RESULTS: For grade Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ nuclear density, the mean UST and mean CDE were significantly lower in Group A. The average BCVA of Group A was better than Group B at 1 and 7d after surgery. But at 30d postoperative, there was no statistical difference between these two groups(P>0.05). The corneal clarity and the mean change of central thickness showed significantly less corneal edema in Group A than Group B in 1 and 7d postoperatively. This difference was no longer found significantly at 30d after surgery(P>0.05). At 7 and 30d postoperative, the endothelial cells in Group B were lower than in Group A.

CONCLUSION: By reducing the effective UST and CDE intraoperatively, the main effect of torsional mode phacoemulsification on cornea shows less damage to endothelium cells, and patients get better prognosis. But the damage to cornea by torsional mode phacoemulsification isn't fundamentally solved.