AIM: To observe the effects of phacoemulsification and extracapsular cataract extraction with small incision on corneal endothelial cells in patients with high mypia combined with cataract.

METHODS: In the study, 86 patients(86 eyes)with high mypia combined with cataract from September 15^th, 2014 to December 31^th, 2014 were selected and randomly divided into two groups, group A(46 cases, 46 eyes)with phacoemulsification and group B(40 cases, 40 eyes)with extracapsular cataract extraction with small incision. Visual acuity, the density of corneal endothelial cells and the proportion of hexagonal cells were observed at preoperative 1d and postoperative 7d, 1 and 3mo.

RESULTS: After treatment, visual acuity was improved significantly in both groups(P<0.05), with no statistical difference between two groups(P>0.05). Compared with preoperative 1d, there were significant differences for the density of corneal endothelial cells and the proportion of hexagonal cells at postoperative 7d, 1 and 3mo(P<0.05), but with no statistical difference between two groups(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: Phacoemulsification and extracapsular extraction with small incision have a certain extent damage on corneal endothelial cells in patients with high mypia and cataract. However, both two surgical approaches show equivalent efficacy in improving visual acuity of patients with high mypia combined with cataract.