Corneal thickness after cataract extraction with air in the anterior chamber

A total of 135 patients had the corneal thickness measured prior to cataract extraction. The chamber was re-established by air in 86, while the remainder acted as controls. On the second postoperative day the corneal thickness had increased by 12.7% in the air-inflated group, and by 17.6% in the control group. On the sixth postoperative day the increases in thickness were 7.2 and 11.1% respectively. On follow-up control 6 to 12 months later the corneal thickness was as before the operation. Epithelial oedema was significantly more frequent in the control group. The conclusion is drawn that an air bubble in the anterior chamber has no unfavourable effect on the corneal endothelium. On the contrary, it seems to protect the endothelium from postoperative damage.