Fusion Phaco complex phacoemulsification through a coaxial 2.2 mm micro-incision: a clinical study

Objective: The aim of this study was to observe the clinical outcomes of coaxial 2.2 mm micro-incision Fusion Phaco complex phacoemulsification, comparing it with standard 3.0 mm small incision phacoemulsification. Methods: A randomized prospective study was conducted. A total of 99 eyes from 81 patients were enrolled and randomly divided into the micro-incision cataract surgery (MICS group), with 51 eyes undergoing coaxial 2.2 mm micro-incision Fusion Phaco complex phacoemulsification, and the small incision cataract surgery (SICS group), with 48 eyes undergoing traditional 3.0 mm incision phacoemulsification. Average phaco power (AVE) and effective phaco times (EPT) were recorded during the operation. Patients were followed up one day, one week, one month, and three months after the operation. Postoperative uncorrected visual acuity, corneal endothelial cells (CECs) count, surgically induced astigmatism (SIA), retinal thickness, central cornea thickness, and intraocular pressure (IOP) were recorded. Results: No significant differences were found in the following clinical characteristics, visual acuity, hardness of the lens nucleus (4-5 class of nucleus), EPT(s), CECs, central cornea thickness, retinal thickness at the macular area, and intraocular pressure (IOP). AVE was lower in the MICS group than the SICS group (P<0.05). Additionally, SIA in the MICS group was less than that in the SICS group, at every time point (P<0.05). Conclusion: Coaxial 2.2 mm micro-incision Fusion Phaco complex phacoemulsifiation can reduce SIA and save AVE, contributing to the recovery of visual function. Coaxial 2.2 mm micro-incision Fusion Phaco complex phacoemulsifiation is a safe and reliable procedure for treatment of cataracts.