METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 56 patients with senile cataract with hard nucleus from February 2017 to February 2019 in our hospital was made, which was divided into two groups according to the different surgical methods. group A(31 eyes)with long incision(about 7-8mm), long tunnel(central 5mm length 3.5-4mm, internal incision of both sides extending about 1-1.5mm to the back of the side, making the front end of the incision trapezoid), thick scleral flap(about 2/3 film thickness). group B(25 eyes)with short incision(about 5.5mm), short tunnel(long 3mm, regular flush of internal incision, linear), and regular thickness scleral flap(about 1/2 film thickness). The best corrected visual acuity recovery of 1d, 1wk, 1mo and 3mo after operation, central corneal thickness after 1d, 1wk operation and corneal astigmatism degree, corneal endothelial cell loss degree after 3mo operation were compared.

RESULTS: The best corrected visual acuity(greater than or equal to 0.5)for 1d, 1wk, 1mo and 3mo after operation in the two groups(77%, 90%,94% and 94% in the A group and 32%, 72%, 88% and 88% in the B group)was statistically significant \〖β=-1.338, Exp(β)=0.262, P<0.05\〗. The central corneal thickness of the two groups had time difference and interaction effect before and after operation(P<0.05), and there was no difference between the two groups(P>0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in corneal endothelial cell density(2159.84±245.20/mm2 in the group A and 2019.68±203.97/mm2 in the group B)between the two groups after 3mo of operation(t=2.289, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in corneal astigmatism between the two groups(group A 1.57±0.74D and group B 1.39±0.71D)after 3mo of operation(t=0.930,P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: MSICS with long incision, long tunnel, thick scleral flap and trapezoidal internal incision has less damage, quicker recovery and better effect on patients with hard nucleus aged cataract than short incision, short tunnel and linear internal incision.