Postoperative conjunctival chemosis in cataract surgery caused by subconjunctival gentamicin injection.

A prospective study of 75 patients undergoing cataract surgery was conducted to identify the cause of postoperative conjunctival chemosis seen in patients with cataracts in this department. The patients were split in three groups of 25 each. Group G patients were given a subconjunctival injection of gentamicin at the end of the cataract procedure; group W patients did not receive subconjunctival gentamicin, but a cellulose wick drain was used during the procedure; and Group GW patients received a subconjunctival injection of gentamicin and a wick drain was also used. The incidence, severity, and the duration of chemosis were observed in the three groups. Chemosis was seen only in groups G and GW, and the difference between the number of patients who received gentamicin and those who did not receive gentamicin was significant (p less than 0.001).