AIM:To observe and compare the changes of corneal endothelial cells with after phacoemulsification and small incision non- phacoemulsification in elderly hard nuclear cataract.

METHODS:In this retrospective analysis, the patients received small incision non-phacoemulsification cataract extraction combined with intraocular lens implantation were as group A, 36 cases(40 eyes)and those underwent ultrasonic phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation were for group B, 38 cases(46 eyes). Operation time, preoperative, postoperative 1and 6mo, uncorrected visual acuity, corneal endothelial changes were compared.

RESULTS: The operation time of the two groups had no significant difference. UCVA of postoperative 1mo was ≥ 0.5 after surgery, the difference between the two groups had statistical significance(χ²=5.174, P=0.023). One month and 6mo after operation, the corneal endothelial cell counts of two groups were compared, with statistical significance(t=2.565, P=0.038; t=2.774, P=0.041)and the difference of corneal endothelial cell loss rate between two groups had statistical significance(P<0.05). The difference of AVC between two groups at postoperative 1 and 3mo had statistical significance(t=2.225, P=0.045; t=2.153, P=0.039). The coefficient variation of two groups had statistically significant difference(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Small incision non-phacoemulsification operation is a more safe and effective surgery method for treating elderly hardcore cataract patients.