PUPIL SIZE AND REACTIVITY FOLLOWING HYDROXYPROPYL METHYLCELLULOSE ANDSODIUM HYALURONATE

Aims-A prospective randomised clinical trial was set up to compare the effect of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (Ocucoat) and sodium hyaluron ate (Healonid) on pupil size and reactivity following their use in cat aract surgery. Methods-Pupil measurements were recorded before and 6 w eeks after surgery. Results-There was no significant difference betwee n the two groups with respect to pupil size (p=0.69, Mann-Whitney U te st) nor with respect to reactivity (p=0.99, Fischer's exact test). Nin ety six per cent of the surgery was performed using phacoemulsificatio n. Conclusion-This trial suggests that both viscoelastic materials hav e similar effects on the pupil after their use in cataract surgery.