Increased intraocular pressure and corneal endothelial cell loss following phacoemulsification surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the influence of low-molecular-weight viscoelastics on postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) and corneal endothelial cell loss after phacoemulsification


METHODS
Sixty-nine eyes undergoing phacoemulsification surgery were randomized to have either Opegan (Santen Pharmaceuticals, Osaka, Japan) alone or the soft-shell technique using Viscoat (Alcon Surgical, Fort Worth, TX) during phacoemulsification. The IOP was measured preoperatively and at 5 and 24 hours postoperatively. Intraoperative factors and corneal endothelial cell loss were also examined.


RESULTS
Mean IOP was increased at 5 hours after surgery but returned to preoperative levels at 24 hours in the Opegan group, whereas it remained higher at 24 hours than at preoperative levels in the soft-shell group. When comparing groups, IOP at 5 and 24 hours postoperatively in the Opegan group was significantly less than that in the soft-shell group. Corneal endothelial cell loss was approximately the same in the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The increase in IOP following phacoemulsification surgery with the use of Opegan was less than that with the soft-shell technique using Viscoat, although endothelial injury was almost the same.
Yachimori
Ryuzi
R
Hayashi Eye Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan.
Matsuura
Toshie
T
Hayashi
Ken
K
Hayashi
Hideyuki
H
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002452:Cell Count; D002807:Chondroitin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000209:etiology*; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011183:Postoperative Complications
D004338:Drug Combinations; C501944:chondroitin sulfate, sodium hyaluronate drug combination; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D002807:Chondroitin; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates