PHACOEMULSIFICATION WITH ASPIRATED OR RETAINED VISCOAT

Endothelial cell counts, morphology, and 24-hour postoperative intraoc ular pressure (IOP) changes were measured in 55 consecutive patients ( 60 eyes) who had uncomplicated phacoemulsification and posterior chamb er lens implantation with either aspirated (30 eyes) or retained (30 e yes) Viscoat(R) (sodium chondroitin sulfate-sodium hyaluronate). The s urgical technique was standardized in all cases. Endothelial cell loss was almost identical in the aspirated and in the retained groups (8.8 % and 8.7%). Postoperative pleomorphism was significantly less in the retained Viscoat group than in the aspirated group, suggesting a possi ble protective effect of the retained viscoelastic. Corneal thickness increased significantly in the retained Viscoat group, but this was no t significant clinically. The retained Viscoat group had more patients with a postoperative IOP greater than 30 mm Hg and a greater mean inc rease in postoperative IOP, although the difference between the groups was not significant. The IOP changes may have been caused by blockage of the trabecular meshwork by the retained Viscoat. The results sugge st that Viscoat can be retained after cataract surgery if the surgeon is prepared for a greater 24-hour postoperative increase in IOP.