Pupil size and reactivity following hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and sodium hyaluronate

A prospective randomised clinical trial was set up to compare the effect of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (Ocucoat) and sodium hyaluronate (Healonid) on pupil size and reactivity following their use in cataract surgery.

Pupil measurements were recorded before and 6 weeks after surgery.

There was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to pupil size (p = 0.69, Mann-Whitney U test) nor with respect to reactivity (p = 0.99, Fischer's exact test). Ninety six per cent of the surgery was performed using phacoemulsification.

This trial suggests that both viscoelastic materials have similar effects on the pupil after their use in cataract surgery.