AIM: To observe the efficacy and safety of small incision manual nuncleofragmentation technology in hard-nucleus cataract.

METHODS: Fifty-four patients(54 eyes)were performed with small incision manual nucleofragmentation and intraocular lens implantation. Uncorrected-visual acuity, corrected-visual acuity and astigmatism were measured before and after surgery. Anterior segment of eye, retina, surgical complications were observed.

RESULTS: Preoperative uncorrected vision(LogMAR)was 1.095±0.171, corrected vision(LogMAR)was 0.994±0.158. Postoperative uncorrected vision(LogMAR)was 0.321±0.214 and corrected vision(LogMAR)was 0.276±0.179 at 1wk after operation. Both had statistical significance compared with uncorrected vision(LogMAR)(t=27.052, P<0.01)and corrected vision(LogMAR)(t=29.211, P<0.01)after cataract operation. Average preoprative corneal astigmatism was 0.93±0.34D, average postoprative astigmatism was 0.95±0.29D at 3mo, there was no statistical significance of astigmatism before and after surgery(t=1.048, P>0.05). No severe complications occurred in all cases.

CONCLUSION: The technology of small incision manual nuncleofragmentation in hard-nucleus cataract is proved to be safe and effective.