Achievement of Less Invasive Cataract Surgery

Phacoemulsification and aspiration (PEA) has become the most popular type of cataract surgery. The safety of cataract surgery has been dramatically improved due to the development of surgical techniques and associated instruments. However, corneal endothelial damage still represents a serious complication, as excessive damage can lead to irreversible bullous keratopathy. Collision of lens fragments to corneal endothelium by turbulent flow causes physical breakdown of the endothelial cells. We report a case in which corneal endothelial damage occurred by the collision of lens fragments during phacoemulsification and aspiration. The outcome prompted us to perform safer operations with new surgical instruments.