Clinical Observation of Non-Staining Circular Capsulorhexis for Hypermature Cataract

Abstract

Objective: To explore the circular capsulorhexis method and its clinical effect in phacoemulsification of hypermature cataract without staining. Methods: In this prospective randomized case-control study, 22 patients (22 eyes) with hypermature cataract were randomly divided into a staining agent group (10 cases, 10 eyes) and a non-staining agent group (12 cases, 12 eyes). Both groups underwent phacoemulsification with foldable intraocular lens implantation under topical anesthesia. In the staining agent group, 0.5% indocyanine green was used to stain the anterior lens capsule to assist in circular capsulorhexis; in the non-staining agent group, after puncturing the anterior lens capsule and aspirating the liquefied cortical material, the capsular bag was filled with viscoelastic agent to increase the contrast prior to circular capsulorhexis. The operability of the anterior capsule without staining in capsulorhexis was observed, and the effect of capsulorhexis, diameter of capsulorhexis opening, and operative time were compared and analyzed between the two groups. Results: Both groups successfully underwent circular capsulorhexis, with a success rate of 100%. The diameters of capsulorhexis opening in the staining agent group and non-staining agent group were 5.68 ± 0.15 mm and 5.54 ± 0.16 mm, respectively, without any statistical difference between the groups (P > 0.05); the operative time of the staining agent group (40.40 ± 5.42 s) was shorter than that of the non-staining agent group (50.92 ± 3.97 s), and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). In both groups, phacoemulsification was successful, and intraocular lens were implanted into the capsular bags; their visual acuity showed significant improvement during the 1-month follow-up period after surgery, without any surgical complications. Conclusion: In hypermature cataract, injecting viscoelastic agent into the capsular bag for volume replacement, given a lack of capsule staining agent, can increase the contrast for capsulorhexis and reduce the risk of large capsular bag collapse on the zonular ligament. Thus, it is considered safe and effective. Circular capsulorhexis is conducive to a smooth phacoemulsification procedure.