AIM: To explore the differences of clinical effects between 3.0mm scleral tunnel incision and 3.0mm clear corneal incision of phacoemulsification(Phaco).

METHODS: The clinical data of 114 patients with cataract(114 eyes)were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were treated with Phaco, and patients with 3.0mm scleral tunnel incision were included in control group(n=30, 30 eyes), and patients with 3.0 mm clear corneal incision were included in observation group(n=84, 84 eyes). The changes of corneal endothelial cell(CEC)density, corneal astigmatism(CA), tear meniscus height(TMH), uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA)and tear epidermal growth factor(EGF)were compared before operation and at 1wk, 1mo and 3mo after operation, and the basic conditions during perioperative period and the occurrence of complications within 3mo after operation were analyzed in the two groups.

RESULTS:At 1wk, 1mo and 3mo after operation, the CEC density in the two groups was decreased significantly compared with that before operation, and the density in observation group was significantly higher than that in control group at the same time(all P<0.05). The levels of CA, TMH and EGF in the two groups were significantly higher than those before operation, and the levels in observation group were significantly lower than those in control group at the same time(all P<0.05). The levels of UCVA in the two groups were significantly decreased than those before operation, and the levels in observation group were significantly lower than those in control group at the same time(all P<0.05).The ultrasound time, cumulative release energy and operative time in observation group were significantly less than those in control group(all P<0.05). Within 3mo after operation, the total incidence rate of postoperative complications in observation group was significantly lower than that in control group(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: The 3.0mm clear corneal incision Phaco is more appropriate than 3.0mm scleral tunnel incision, and the former one is conducive to promoting postoperative rehabilitation.