Effects of ultrasound on the corneal endothelium: I. The acute lesion

Abstract

The ultrasonic radiation utilised in phacoemulsification procedures for the removal of cataractous lenses results in the widespread production of discrete lesions in the corneal endothelium. The morphology of this induced damage has been examined in rabbit and man using both scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The illustrated results are related to both the duration of the ultrasonic exposure and to the mechanisms of damage.