Abstract: In order to evaluate postoperative endothelial trauma, endothelial permeability (EP) was assessed by fluorophotometry in 71 cataract patients before, as well as 4 days and 6 weeks after phacoemulsification with implantation of a 7mm PMMA posterior chamber lens, being performed through a limbal incision (with suture) in 38 patients and through a scleral tunnel (no suture) in 33 patients.Before and 6 weeks after surgery, EP was normal in both groups.Four days after surgery, EP was increased in both groups (P<O.OOOl).However, the increase was significantly greater in the scleral tunnel group than in the limbal incision group (+54.6% vs. +35.7%;P<0.0001).