Refractive Outcomes in Fuchs’ Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy: Conventional and Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery

Abstract

Purpose To investigate the refractive outcomes of eyes with Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) following phacoemulsification. Methods This is a retrospective chart review of patients with FECD who underwent phacoemulsification. Manifest refraction at the early postoperative period (1–6 weeks) and late postoperative period (3–12 months) was collected. The spherical equivalent (SE) and variance of SE from target in diopters (D) were analyzed. Results A total of 219 eyes from 175 FECD patients (73 FLACS, 146 conventional phacoemulsification) were included. In the early postoperative period, when comparing variance from intended target, 62% (n=126) had a SE variance of ≤0.5 D, 22% (n=44) >0.5 D and ≤1 D, and 17% (n=34) >1 D. In the late postoperative period, 62% (n=85) had a SE variance of ≤0.5 D, 19% (n=26) >0.5 D and ≤1 D, and 20% (n=27) >1 D. There was no difference in the variance of SE comparing FLACS versus conventional phacoemulsification in either the early postoperative period (p=0.78) or the late postoperative period (p=0.29). Conclusion Patients with mild-to-moderate FECD had favorable refractive outcomes with phacoemulsification. There was no difference in refractive outcomes in eyes with FECD between the group that underwent FLACS versus the group that underwent conventional phacoemulsification.

Fuchs Dystrophy and Cataract: Diagnosis, Evaluation and Treatment

“…However, studies have shown mixed results for patients who underwent FLACS. Koo et al found no difference in the refractive outcomes for eyes that underwent FLACS compared to the eyes that underwent conventional phacoemulsification [48]. Yong et al found that FLACS was superior to conventional phacoemulsification in terms of reducing postoperative EC loss especially in patients with moderate-to-dense cataracts [49].…”