1. New 3-Dimensional Scheimpflug Analysis of Cataract Density
International
Vision Correction
Research Centre
New 3-Dimensional Scheimpflug Analysis of Cataract Density
T.M. Rabsilber, MD, S. Hara, MD,
I.J. Limberger, MD, A. Ehmer, MD, G.U. Auffarth, MD
Dept. of Ophthalmology,
University of Heidelberg, Germany,
Director: Prof. Dr. H.E. Völcker
The authors have no financial interest in the products mentioned here

2. Introduction The subjective grading of the density of cataract is…
- time-consuming
- complicated
- less suitable for longitudinal trial
An objective grading is required

3. Introduction
Pentacam® (Oculus, Germany) is an instrument for imaging the anterior segment of the eye by a rotating Scheimpflug camera measurement.

4. Introduction
With Pentacam® we can grade the density of cataract by quantifying the density and the area of the lens opacification in 3-dimension with the specific software installed.

5. Purpose
We objectively and 3-dimentionally graded the density of cataract into 5 grades using Pentacam®.
We investigated the difference in the mean total phaco energy during phacoemulsification comparing the 5 grades.

6. Patients and Methods
186 eyes of 166 patients undergoing phacoemulsification for cataract using Infinity® (Alcon Inc.) by only one surgeon.
They were preoperatively examined with Pentacam® and graded into 5 grades according to the density and the area of the opacification of lenses.
There is no case with any complication neither during nor after surgery.

7. Patients and Methods
The phaco time and the average phaco power were examined and the total phaco energy was calculated for each case.
Kruskal-Wallis Test was used to analyze statistically the difference in the mean total phaco energy between 5 groups.

8. Grading with Pentacam®
Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade Grade 5
These photographs show the images of each grade.
As the grade increases, a higher density of the lens center is recognized.

9. Numbers in each grade

10. The grade of the density of cataract and the mean total phaco energy

11. Results The mean phaco energies were:
The mean phaco energies were increasing
with higher grades.
In the group of the G1, the mean phaco energy was statistically lower than any other groups (from p<0.001 to p<0.05).

12. Conclusion Mean phaco energy increased with higher density grades.
It is possible to use Pentacam® as a new objective 3-D grading system of the cataract density.