Protective effect of different ophthalmic viscosurgical devices on corneal endothelial cells during phacoemulsification: rabbit model.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the protective effect of different ophthalmic viscosurgical devices on corneal endothelial cells during phacoemulsification in a rabbit model.

SETTING

Harlan Biotech Israel and Ophthalmology Department, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot, Israel.

DESIGN

Experimental study.

METHODS

Rabbit eyes were randomly assigned to 3 equally sized groups. Endothelial cell counts were performed in all eyes before initiation of the study. The aqueous humor was completely replaced by Biolon (sodium hyaluronate 1.0%) in Group A, by a combination of Viscoat (sodium chondroitin sulfate 4.0%-sodium hyaluronate 3.0%) and Provisc (sodium chondroitin sulfate 1.0%) using the soft-shell technique in Group B, and by a combination of Visiol (sodium hyaluronate 2.0%-mannitol 0.5%) and Biolon using the soft-shell technique in Group C. The eyes were exposed to alternating 10 seconds of phacoemulsification and a 10-second pause until a total exposure time of 2.5 minutes elapsed. Endothelial cell counts were repeated 3 days after surgery.

RESULTS

The study used 18 rabbit eyes, 6 in each group. Group A had the highest endothelial cell loss (13%) followed by Group B (7%), and Group C (4%). The difference in cell loss between Group C and Group A was statistically significant (P = .037).

CONCLUSION

The study showed the efficiency and advantages of the soft-shell technique using the combination of Visiol and Biolon over Biolon alone.