title: Oxygen therapy for corneal edema after cataract surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of oxygen therapy on corneal edema after cataract surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Imam Khomeini Hospital, Ahvaz, Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with severe corneal edema were randomized into 3 groups. Group 1 (control) received conventional therapy including topical sodium chloride, timolol, and betamethasone. Group 2 received the same therapy in addition to systemic normobaric oxygen at a flow rate of 10 L/min for 1 hour twice daily for 3 weeks. Group 3 received conventional therapy and transcorneal oxygen at a flow rate of 5 L/min for 1 hour twice daily for 3 weeks. Preoperative pachymetry and specular microscopy were performed. Pachymetry was performed 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 days postoperatively. At 1, 3 and 12 months, pachymetry and specular microscopy were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study enrolled 45 patients. Preoperatively, there was no significant difference between the groups. Pachymetry was more than 1000 μm 1 day postoperatively in all patients. The preoperative pachymetry was restored in 14 days in Group 3 only. After 1 year, the endothelial cell count (ECC) was 1603 cells/mm(2), 1693 cells/mm(2), and 1911 cells/mm(2) with a loss of 37%, 32%, and 25% in Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3, respectively (P = .034, Groups 1 and 3). Group 3 had a higher ECC than the control group at 3 months (P = .037) and 1 year (P = .025). One patient in Group 1 and 1 patient in Group 2 developed bullous keratopathy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transcorneal oxygen decreased corneal edema more rapidly than conventional and systemic oxygen therapies and preserved more endothelial cells than conventional therapy.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Ophthalmology (Sharifipour, Panahi-Bazaz, Hajizadeh), Department of Pulmonology (Idani), and Department of Biostatics and Epidemiology (Saki), Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors.forename: Farideh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sharifipour
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Ophthalmology (Sharifipour, Panahi-Bazaz, Hajizadeh), Department of Pulmonology (Idani), and Department of Biostatics and Epidemiology (Saki), Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahmoodreza
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Panahi-Bazaz
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Ophthalmology (Sharifipour, Panahi-Bazaz, Hajizadeh), Department of Pulmonology (Idani), and Department of Biostatics and Epidemiology (Saki), Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. Electronic address: esmaileidani@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Esmaeil
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Idani
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Ophthalmology (Sharifipour, Panahi-Bazaz, Hajizadeh), Department of Pulmonology (Idani), and Department of Biostatics and Epidemiology (Saki), Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hajizadeh
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Ophthalmology (Sharifipour, Panahi-Bazaz, Hajizadeh), Department of Pulmonology (Idani), and Department of Biostatics and Epidemiology (Saki), Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors.forename: Azadeh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saki
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000368:Aged; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015715:Corneal Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D063171:Corneal Pachymetry; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D007552:Isotonic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013999:Timolol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D013999:Timolol; D001623:Betamethasone; D010100:Oxygen