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Abstract Phacoemulsification is the most commonly performed cataract surgery. Effects of irrigating pressure and temperature rise in the anterior chamber should also be considered. Scheimpflug photography can provide three-dimensional image reconstruction of the anterior segment.The present study aims to assess the value of Scheimpflug imaging in the detection of anterior segment changes after phacoemulsification. The study recruited 50 patients subjected to the procedure and they were assessed before surgery and 1 and 3 months postoperatively. Assessment included clinical and imaging using Pentacam.The study comprised 26 males (52.0 %) and 24 females (48.0 %). The affected eye was the right in 22 patients (44.0 %) and the left in 28 eyes (56.0 %). The reported axial length was 23.9 ± 1.9 mm. Regarding IOP, the current study noted a significant decrease in the IOP from the preoperative values (14.4 ± 1.2 mmHg) at 1 month and 3 months postoperatively (12.9 ± 0.8 mmHg and 13.2 ± 0.9 mmHg respectively). Regarding corneal thickness, comparison between CCT levels at the preoperative assessment (496.1 ± 41.9 µm) and at 1 and 3 months postoperatively (501.6 ± 45.6 and 502.3 ± 42.2 µm respectively) showed no statistically significant differences.Regarding the ACD, the present study found significant increase of ACD at 1 and 3 months postoperatively when compared the preoperative levels.A notable finding in the present is the inverse correlation between the preoperative ACD values and the postoperative/preoperative ratio indicating that the shallower the anterior chamber depth the more the increase in its depth postoperatively. As regards the anterior chamber angles (ACA), the current study found significantly increased at 1 and 3 months postoperatively when compared to the preoperative values. Similar to the data reported in ACD, the present study recognized significant inverse correlation between the preoperative values of ACA and the postoperative/preoperative ratios.The present study performed with pentacam rotating Schimpflug camera system confirmed that in normotensive eyes with open iridocorneal angles, the ACD increases and ACA widens following phacoemulsification and IOL implantation.These changes are accompanied by asignificant fall in IOP 3 months postoperative.The pentacam allowed the very easy, fast, automatic and non contact quatification of anterior chamber parameters pre and postoperatively in all patient eyes.•Pentacam imaging findings can be reliably used in postoperative follow up of cataract patients.•A study comparing Pentacam imaging results with OCT and ultrasound biomicroscopy is recommended. |