[Endothelium protective effect of hyaluronic acid]

In an experimental study the endothelia of porcine corneas were exposed to mechanical trauma under controlled conditions. Endothelial damage was caused by a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) plastic sphere shaped like the optical part of an intraocular implant. Two power settings were investigated. At the high power setting an average damage of 4.63 mm2 (+/- 1.33) was observed under saline, whereas application of hyaluronic acid 1% reduced the endothelial cell loss to 3.006 mm2 (+/- 0.87). At a low power setting the endothelial cell loss under saline was 2.18 mm2 (+/- 0.65); the average damage under hyaluronic acid was 0.55 mm3 (+/- 0.29). The results were statistically significant. The cell protective effect of a viscous substance against a mechanically shearing force was thus demonstrated in a biomechanical model.