Cataract surgery is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures worldwide. Since the introduction of phacoemulsification to remove the cataractous lens, risk and complication rates of cataract surgery decreased significantly.

The phacoemulsification technique utilizes a high-intensity ultrasound energy for the fragmentation and emulsification of the lens. One of the main complications during phacoemulsification, is damaging of the endothelium due to contact with lens fragments of the nucleus following turbulent flow of irrigating solution, resulting in corneal damage, inflammation of the endothelium and corneal edema.

In this study we want to evaluate the effect of the anterior capsule, gained by capsular rhexis, as a corneal shield during phacoemulsification on the corneal endothelium.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Cataract
• Age 21 and older
• Written informed consent prior to surgery
• Moderate to severe nuclear or mixed cataract

Exclusion Criteria:

• Corneal pathologies
• Pregnancy
• Patients with an increased surgical risk (i.e. patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome, patients with the potential risk of intra-operative floppy iris syndrome)