Objective:

To describe the corneal changes in the first 24 hours after phacoemulsification, by means of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).

Method:

Prospective, observational, descriptive, cross-sectional and comparative study. Images taken by SD-OCT in eyes without a history of intraocular and corneal surgery were used to determine an average of thickness, density, reflectivity and normal characteristics of each corneal layer, in three age groups of 50-59 years, 60-69 years and 70-79 years. The characteristics of each cornea were described in relation to the effective phacoemulsification time (EPT).

Results:

We analyzed 180 eyes, finding a p<0.0001 for the total thickness in the 3 groups when comparing the corneas of the operated and non-operated eyes, where an increase of 13% was obtained between groups 1 and 2, and an increase of 1% between groups 2 and 3. The density compared by groups showed p = 0.0028, p = 0.0011 and p < 0.0001, with a decrease of −2.01% in group 1, −4.13% in group 2 and −5.07% in group 3. From an EPT >8 seconds, a decrease in the reflectivity of the stroma, Descemet’s membrane and endothelium was found.

Conclusions:

The increase in corneal thickness is inversely proportional to corneal density; corneal reflectivity shows significant changes as EPT increases and phacoemulsification surgery produces multiple corneal changes observable by SD-OCT, despite the fact that they are sometimes not perceived by slit-lamp examination.

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