Retinal pigment epithelium condition after laser and ultrasound phacofragmentation. Electron microscopy in experiment. Report 1

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose. To perform a comparative evaluation of a macular retinal pigment epithelium condition after laser and ultrasound phacofragmentations in experiment. Material and method. Electron microscopy of macular retinal pigment epithelium was conducted in 3 cadaver eyes after the laser (Nd:YAG 1.44μm) phacofragmentation using the Russian device «RAKOT» and in 3 fellow eyes – after the ultrasound phacoemulsification using Millenium phacomachine. Results. After the laser phacofragmentation the ultra-structure of pigment retinal epithelium in macular area corresponded to the norm. After the ultrasound phacoemulsification some disturbances were noted in the ultra-structural organization of retinal pigment epithelium cells manifested in a rarefaction of the electron optical density of the cell cytoplasm, in an increase of vacuoles. Conclusion. Laser energy is safer for the posterior segment of the eye than ultrasound energy used in the cataract surgery.

Keywords

• retinal pigment epithelium
• phacoemulsification
• laser phacofragmentation
• Russian laser device «Rakot» (Nd:YAG 1.44 μm)