AIM: To investigate the efficiency and safety of 3D visualization assisted phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens(IOL)implantation.

METHODS: Prospective non-randomized controlled clinical study. A total of 100 patients(103 eyes)who underwent phacoemulsification combined with IOL implantation were enrolled in the study. Among them, according to the way of surgery chosen by the participants, 24 cases(25 eyes)were enrolled from January to March 2020(3D-1 group), 24 cases(25 eyes)were enrolled from April to June 2020(3D-2 group), and 52 cases(53 eyes)were enrolled from January to June 2020(binocular microscope group)as the control group. Total operative time, capsulorhexis time, phacoemulsification operation time, cortical aspiration time, IOL implantation time, viscoelastic agent aspiration time, ultrasound time(UST), cumulative dissipated energy(CDE), fluid flow loss, intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded in the three groups. Uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA), best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), intraocular pressure(IOP)and corneal endothelial cell count(CECC)were recorded preoperatively and 1mo postoperatively.

RESULTS: The total operative time, the time of capsulorhysis, the operation time of phacoemulsification, and the time of removing viscoelastic agent between 3D-1 group and control group were statistically significant(all P<0.01). There were no significant differences in the total operation time and each operation step time between the 3D-2 group and the control group(all P>0.05). The differences of UST, liquid flow loss, and CDE between 3D-1 group and the control group were statistically significant(all P<0.05). There were no significant differences between the 3D-2 group and the control group in intraoperative parameters(all P>0.05). There were no statistical significances in UCVA, BCVA, IOP, and CECC among the three groups 1mo after surgery(all P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: Phacoemulsification combined with IOL implantation using 3D visualization technology is safe and feasible. After a certain learning curve period, there is no significant difference in the surgical efficiency compared with traditional binocular surgery.