In vivo thermographic analysis of clear corneal incision during phacoemulsification: comparison for coaxial, microcoaxial and bimanual techniques

Abstract Purpose To measure the wound corneal temperature of clear corneal incisions (CCIs) during phacoemulsification (PKE) using different surgical techniques: standard coaxial, microincision coaxial and microincision bimanual. Methods Human corneal emissivity was determined on corneal graft with the “Black Tape” method. After validation of the method on porcine corneas, the temperature of 35 CCIs was recorded continuously during PKE (7 coaxial with 1.8 mm incision, 14 coaxial 2.2 mm, 8 coaxial 2.75 mm, and 6 bimanual 1.3 mm) using portable laser targeted infrared thermometer. Results No thermal differences were observed within the three groups in PKE mode 1 (nucleus sculpting and grooving) (p=0.56) and in PKE mode 2 (nuclear fragments phacoemulsification) (p=0.32). Bimanual 1.3 mm CCIs’s temperature was lower than the three other groups during irrigation‐aspiration mode (p<0.05). Conclusion Clear corneal microincisions did not induce temperature increase of CCIs during phacoemulsification compared to larger incisions.