Purpose: To compare the learning curve in a series of 200 cataract surgeries performed using small incision nucleus capture with that of phacoemulsification as reported in the literature.
Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
Methods: Two hundred eyes of 163 consecutive patients with cataract had small incision nucleus capture, a relatively new cataract surgery technique that allows small incisions and in-the-bag intraocular lens implantation. Patients were divided into 4 groups of 50 each according to when they had surgery between August 1996 and October 1997. The incidence of intraoperative complications (capsule break with or without vitreous loss, capsulorhexis tears, Descemet's detachment, transient iris damage) and postoperative complications (raised intraocular pressure, corneal epithelial edema, Descemet's folds, and permanent iris damage) were evaluated at the different time points. Also recorded was final visual acuity. These results were compared with those obtained with phacoemulsification.
Results: The study comprised 92 women and 71 men with an age range of 41 to 93 years. Overall final results showed that the learning curve of nucleus capture is comparable to that of phacoemulsification.
Conclusion: Nucleus capture cataract extraction resulted in a low incidence of complications and good visual recovery that was comparable to that obtained with phacoemulsification.