Sodium hyaluronate exchange in posterior chamber lens implantation

A method for replacing sodium hyaluronate with balanced salt solution (BSS) at the end of cataract surgery is described. The technique is performed by using an automated irrigation/aspiration machine and three substance exchanges: sodium hyaluronate for BSS, BSS for air, and air for BSS. The objective of the technique is to protect the corneal endothelium from intraocular-lens-induced trauma and to keep the lens in the bag. This is accomplished by preventing even momentary anterior chamber shallowing through the maintenance of a relatively constant anterior chamber volume during the exchanges.