To evaluate the correlation between nuclear density measured using the Pentacam® (Oculus Optikgerate GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany) Scheimpflug imaging system and phacoemulsification parameters.

The nuclear density was measured using maximal nuclear density with ImageJ, Pentacam® nucleus staging (PNS), average value and maximal value in lens densitometry. Intraoperatively, effective phaco time (EPT) and balanced salt solution (BSS) used were noted and compared with the nuclear density calculation methods. As an index of corneal endothelial cells, the changes in cell density (CD) were compared with the nuclear density.

Regarding EPT, maximal nuclear density with ImageJ (r = 0.379, p < 0.01) and PNS (r = 0.367, p < 0.01) were correlated positively, but the other methods were not correlated. Concerning BSS used, maximal nuclear density with ImageJ (r = 0.279, p = 0.03) and PNS (r = 0.286, p = 0.04) were positively correlated, but the other methods were not correlated. The specular microscopy showed that as the nuclear density increased, the postoperative CD tended to decrease, but without statistical significance.

Preoperative nuclear density measurements using maximal nuclear density with ImageJ or PNS were correlated with phacoemulsification parameters.