Corneal thickness readings were comparable between scanning-slit topography and pachymetry; noncontact specular microscopy gave significantly smaller values. The measurements of the 3 methods showed significant linear correlations with one another. All methods provided acceptable repeatability of measurements.

No abstract

Intraoperative IOP in phacoemulsification with a usual bottle height appeared to exceed the normal range. Phacoemulsification with a low bottle height was less harmful to the corneal endothelium.

. Purpose:  To estimate the incidence rate of endophthalmitis after cataract surgery performed by Japanese surgeons. Methods:  A sample of 20% of members of the Japanese Society of Ophthalmic Surgeons was randomly selected. Each member was sent a postal survey asking for information on the number of cataract surgeries performed in 2003 and the number of postsurgery cases of endophthalmitis. Results:  Replies were received from 78.7% (513/652) of survey recipients. The total number of cataract surgeries was 100 539, among which 52 cases of endophthalmitis occurred, resulting in an overall incidence rate of 0.052%. Incidence rates were 0.049% (38/78 170) for scleral incision phacoemulsification and 0.043% (9/20 894) for clear corneal incision phacoemulsification, with no significant difference between groups. The average annual volumes of surgery were 210 and 280 cases for surgeons who preferred scleral incision and clear corneal incision, respectively. There was a significant difference between volumes (Student's t‐test, p < 0.01). The incidence of endophthalmitis was significantly lower with high‐volume (> 300 cases/year) surgeons than with low‐volume (≤ 300 cases/year) surgeons (0.040% versus 0.066%, chi‐square test, p < 0.05). Conclusions:  The incidence of endophthalmitis after cataract surgery in Japan as estimated by a postal survey was low (0.052%) and consistent with rates reported previously. Surgeons who preferred clear corneal incision performed significantly more surgeries annually, but the incidence of endophthalmitis was similar between scleral and clear corneal incision phacoemulsification surgery.

The corneal volume increase after surgery may be indicative of the degree of the endothelial damage in the area; thus, the VSI may be useful in the functional assessment of the corneal endothelium.