Salvaged viscoelastic reduces irrigation frequency during cataract surgery

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Techniques
• Biomaterials

Background:

• Maintaining corneal clarity during cataract surgery is crucial for optimal visualization and surgical outcomes.
• Frequent irrigation is often necessary to manage corneal haze, potentially increasing surgical time and complexity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a viscoelastic solution in reducing irrigation frequency during cataract surgery.
• To compare the impact of viscoelastic versus saline on corneal clarity and surgical parameters.

Main Methods:

• Prospective randomized study involving 54 cataract patients.
• Patients received either viscoelastic solution or saline on the cornea at the start of surgery.
• Irrigation was performed only when corneal haze was apparent or at the surgeon's request; irrigation frequency, ultrasound parameters, and surgery duration were recorded.

Main Results:

• The viscoelastic group required significantly fewer irrigations (mean 2) compared to the saline group (mean 18) (P < .0001).
• Mean irrigations per minute were substantially lower in the viscoelastic group (0.17) versus the saline group (1.21).
• While trends suggested reduced surgery time, ultrasound time, and energy with viscoelastic, these differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

• Topical viscoelastic solution effectively reduces the need for intraoperative corneal irrigation during cataract surgery.
• This approach enhances corneal clarity maintenance without adding significant costs.
• Viscoelastic application offers a practical method to improve surgical efficiency and patient outcomes in cataract procedures.