Eye-related factors that can be associated with the plane of phacoemulsification

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of eye-related factors such as biometric and surgical parameters, nuclear sclerosis (NS) grade, and pupil and capsulorhexis diameters on the plane of phacoemulsification (PP). Material and Methods: This prospective study included 328 eyes of 328 patients who underwent phacoemulsification surgery. The phaco-chop technique was performed in all patients and changes in PP that occurred during surgery were recorded. Patients were grouped as follows: Group 1, > 75% of lens nucleus emulsified in the capsular bag; Group 2, > 75% of lens nucleus emulsified at the pupillary plane; and Group 3, > 50% of lens nucleus emulsified in the anterior chamber. The association between PP and eye-related factors was evaluated. Results: There were 153 patients (46.7 %) in Group 1, 104 patients (31.7 %) in Group 2 and 71 patients (21.6 %) in Group 3. The factors associated with PP were anterior chamber depth (MD) (p= 0.020) and NS grade (p = 0.028). No significant relationship was detected between PP and age, surgical parameters or other biometric values. Moreover, PP was found to be more anterior in patients with soft cataracts and deeper ACD values (p values were 0.002 and 0.036, respectively). Conclusion: The present study has reported that PP may move to more anterior, as softer cataracts may increase the fear of posterior capsule rent. Moreover, PP may move to more posterior due to shallow anterior chambers or high-grade cataracts that could potentially increase the fear of endothelial injury.