Protection of corneal endothelium from irrigation damage: a comparison of sodium hyaluronate and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the endothelial protection of sodium hyaluronate and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose against endothelial damage induced by irrigation.


METHODS
An in vitro assay with freshly excised porcine eyes was developed using the Janus green photometry technique. Irrigation and aspiration technique was standardised. Forty pairs of porcine eyes were used. One randomly chosen eye was filled with sodium hyaluronate (SH) and the other with hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC). Irrigation and aspiration was carried out with balanced salt solution for 5 min. Twenty additional pairs of porcine eyes served as controls. Student's t-test was used for statistical analysis.


RESULTS
Both viscoelastic agents protected the endothelium as compared with controls. The endothelial protection, determined with the Janus green photometric technique, was significantly greater with HPMC than with SH.


CONCLUSIONS
Viscoelastic agents are effective in protecting the endothelium from irrigation damage in porcine eyes in vitro. HPMC provided greater protection than SH in this particular model.
Dua
H S
HS
Department of Ophthalmology, Queen's Medical Centre, University Hospital Nottingham, UK. Harminder.Dua@nottingham.ac.uk
Benedetto
D A
DA
Azuara-Blanco
A
A
D000818:Animals; D001391:Azo Compounds; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D004396:Coloring Agents; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000293:injuries*; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D007785:Lactose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008747:Methylcellulose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010078:Oxazines; D010783:Photometry; D013396:Suction / Q000009:adverse effects; D013552:Swine; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000009:adverse effects
D001391:Azo Compounds; D004396:Coloring Agents; D010078:Oxazines; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D008747:Methylcellulose; C071191:MK 458; C047446:janus green; D007785:Lactose