Sodium hyaluronate use during lens expression in extracapsular cataract surgery in rabbits

Albino rabbits were used to compare the effects of filling the anterior chamber with balanced salt solution or sodium hyaluronate prior to lens expression in an extracapsular surgical technique. No significant differences were found between the two utilizing periodic slit lamp examinations, measurements of intraocular pressure, corneal thickness or corneal endothelial cell density. Sodium hyaluronate maintained a deeper anterior chamber and simplified lens expression.