PHACOEMULSIFICATION PROCEDURE .1. EFFECT OF INTRAOCULAR IRRIGATING SOLUTIONS ON CORNEAL ENDOTHELIUM

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  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 15  (6) , 449-457
Abstract
Irrigating solutions for intraocular purposes were evaluated for their possible damaging effects on the corneal endothelial cell structure and function. Rabbit corneal endothelium was perfused in vitro with Tis-u-Sol, Travenol Ringer''s Solution or Travenol NaCl. The irrigating solutions caused an immediate corneal swelling of 67 .mu.m/h .+-. 5 (mean .+-. SE), which was not modified by a previous stabilization perfusion with glutathione-bicarbonate Ringer''s (GBR). The Plasma-lyte-148 solution which was used in the phacoemulsification procedure did not cause corneal swelling for more than 20 min and for more than 60 min if the cornea was perfused after a GBR stabilization. After more than 60 min of corneal swelling, endothelial intercellular junction separations appeared [in scanning EM observation]. This breakdown was present with the tested irrigating solutions except for Travenol Ringer''s Solution, which contained Ca2. Plasma-lyte was also evalvated in conjunction with the surgical phacoemulsification procedure. The complete procedure or just irrigation with ultrasound did not cause endothelial cell damage similar to a prolonged in vitro irrigation. Instead, endothelial cells were traumatically damaged in varying degrees by the surgical manipulations.