[Surgery for treatment of senile cataract with Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the result of surgery for senile cataract with Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy and emphasize the importance of the preoperative examination by specular microscopy.

METHODS

In the review of 2,026 consecutive senile cataract cases, 17 Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy cases were found before cataract surgery by specular microscopy. Operative procedures and corneal endothelial protective measures were recorded, and postoperative corneal transparency was observed. The examination of specular microscopy was performed 3 months after the cataract surgery.

RESULTS

The incidence of Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy in senile cataract was 0.8% (17/2,026) in our study. The loss rate of endothelial cells was 16.2%. No bullous keratopathy occurred in all cases during follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

Reasonable measures to protect the endothelium in the surgery by an experienced operator is helpful to the success of surgery. Observing the endothelium by specular microscopy before cataract surgery is very important.