Anterior chamber maintainer versus viscoelastic material for intraocular lens implantation: case-control study.
OBJECTIVE
To compare best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and intraocular pressure (IOP) in eyes that had a foldable intraocular lens (IOL) implanted with the use of an anterior chamber maintainer (ACM) in 1 eye and hyaluronate 3.0% (Vitrax) viscoelastic material in the other eye.


METHODS
Private practice in a large urban center.


METHODS
Sixty-six eyes of 33 patients had consecutive bilateral cataract extraction by the same surgeon using an identical temporal approach, clear corneal phacoemulsification, and implantation of an Allergan SI-40NB or SA-40NB IOL through an injection delivery system. The first operative eye was arbitrarily assigned to the ACM or Vitrax group, while the fellow eye received the opposite technique. Patients with coexisting ocular pathology that could influence the measured outcomes (eg, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration) were excluded. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and 1 day and 3 to 6 weeks postoperatively.


RESULTS
No serious intraoperative or postoperative complications were reported. The only statistical difference in BCVA or IOP was on the first postoperative day, when the mean IOP was approximately 2 mm Hg lower in the ACM group than in the Vitrax group.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of an ACM for implantation of an injected 3-piece silicone IOL may lower IOP on the first postoperative day.
Shingleton
B J
BJ
Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Mitrev
P V
PV
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000867:Anterior Chamber / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular / Q000379:methods*; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000517:prevention & control; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D012449:Safety; D014792:Visual Acuity
D006820:Hyaluronic Acid