Cataract Surgery in Microcornea Eyes Using the Eight-Chop Technique

Objectives: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the eight-chop technique in cata-ract surgery for microcornea eyes, we aimed to investigate intraoperative parameters, changes in corneal endothelial cells, intraocular pressure, and intraoperative complications. Methods: Phacoemulsification cataract surgery was performed using the eight-chop technique. Preopera-tive and postoperative evaluation parameters included best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, corneal endothelial cell density (CECD), central corneal thickness, coefficient of varia-tion, and percentage of hexagonal cell. Intraoperative parameters measured were operative time, phaco time, aspiration time, cumulative dissipated energy (CDE), and fluid of volume used. Results: We analyzed 104 eyes from 104 patients (mean age 76.2 ± 4.8 years; 40 males, 64 females). In the microcornea group, the operative time, phaco time, aspiration time, CDE, and fluid of volume used were 5.9 min, 17.9 s, 77.0 s, 7.06 µJ, and 31.1 mL, respectively, showing favorable measurements. In contrast, the control group, the operative time, phaco time, aspiration time, CDE, and fluid of volume used were 4.5 min, 14.7 sec, 64.3 sec, 6.44 µJ, and 25.0 mL, respectively. Furthermore, CECD loss in the microcornea group was 3.6% at 7 weeks and 1.5% at 19 weeks, compared to 2.3% and 1.4%, respectively, in the control group. Significant reductions were observed in both the microcornea and control groups at 7 and 19 weeks postoperatively. No cases of intraoperative complications occurred in either group. Con-clusion: The eight-chop technique in cataract surgery demonstrates excellent intraoperative pa-rameters for microcornea eyes and may offer reduced surgical impact even in cases with low an-terior chamber volume. This technique is expected to contribute to establishing individualized treatment strategies and improving cataract management and treatment.