Article
Clinical importance of the lens opacities classification system III (LOCS III) in phacoemulsification
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Published: | September 22, 2004 |
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Outline
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Objective
To compare the correlation of features of cataracts graded by the Lens Opacities Classification System, version III (LOCS III) with recorded operative characteristics during the phacoemulsification.
Methods
The retrospective study of 216 cases operated on by a single surgeron from October 2003 to January 2004. The cataract was graded at the biomicroscope using the 4 grading scales of the lens opacities classification system, version III (LOCS III); nuclear opalescence (NO), nuclear color (CO), cortical cataract (C) and posterior subcapsular catract (P). We recorded 2 intraoperative characteristics: machine masured phacoemulsification time, and average machine power.
Results
The machine recorded phacoemulsification time and average power correlated positively with the estimated nuclear color (NC) scale and nuclear opaclescence (NO) scale. Grading within categories of cortical catract (C) and posterior subcapsular cataract (P) did not correlate with any of the operative variables. Exponentially, greater phacoemulsification energy was required as NC and NO increased.
Conclusions
LOCS III grading system enables the surgeon to anticipate potential pitfalls and to adapt the operative technique to the individual patient.