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Corneal thickness and visual acuity after phacoemulsification with 3 viscoelastic materials
1Phillips Eye Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
Purpose:
To determine whether differences exist in visual acuity and corneal thickness after phacoemulsification using various viscoelastic substances.
Setting:
Phillips Eye Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
Methods:
Fifty patients having routine phacoemulsification cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation by a single surgeon using the same technique were randomly assigned to receive intraoperative administration of 1 of 3 viscoelastic substances: Amvisc Plus(R) (sodium hyaluronate 1.6%), OcuCoat(R) (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose 2%), or Viscoat(R) (chondroitin sulfate 4%-sodium hyaluronate 3%). Visual acuity and corneal thickness on the first postoperative day were compared between groups.
Results:
Patients with a best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/40 or better 1 day postoperatively had significantly thinner corneas (596 microm) than those with a BCVA worse than 20/40 (639 microm). There were no differences in postoperative BCVA or percentage increase in central corneal pachymetry among the 3 viscoelastic groups.
Conclusion:
Viscoat, Amvisc Plus, and OcuCoat were comparable in their ability to produce clear corneas and good vision after routine phacoemulsification.
