Keywords
Cataract
Corneal endothelial cells
Free lens anterior capsular disc
Submitted : 2026-02-13
Accepted : 2026-02-28
Published : 2026-03-15
Abstract
Objective: To investigate whether attaching a free lens anterior capsular disc to the corneal endothelial surface during femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) can effectively reduce postoperative corneal endothelial cell loss. Methods: This prospective study included 97 cataract patients. Among them, 33 patients served as the experimental group, where a free lens anterior capsular disc was applied for corneal endothelial protection during FLACS. The remaining 64 patients formed the control group and underwent conventional FLACS. Changes in corneal endothelial cell density were compared between the two groups before surgery and one month postoperatively. Results: One month after surgery, corneal endothelial cell counts in both groups were lower than preoperative levels. However, the experimental group exhibited higher corneal endothelial cell counts than the control group, with a smaller reduction in cell counts (p < 0.05). The corneal endothelial cell loss rate in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group one month postoperatively (p < 0.05). At the one-month follow-up, there were no significant differences in LogMAR visual acuity or non-contact intraocular pressure between the two groups compared to preoperative values (p > 0.05). Additionally, no significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups in terms of LogMAR visual acuity, non-contact intraocular pressure, improvements in LogMAR visual acuity, or changes in non-contact intraocular pressure (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Attaching a free lens anterior capsular disc to the corneal endothelial surface during FLACS can effectively reduce intraoperative corneal endothelial cell loss.
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