Corneal thickness and visual acuity after phacoemulsification with 3 viscoelastic materials

Purpose: To determine whether differences exist in visual acuity and cornea l thickness after phacoemulsification using various viscoelastic substances . Setting: Phillips Eye Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. Methods: Fifty patients having routine phacoemulsification cataract extract ion and intraocular lens implantation by a single surgeon using the same te chnique were randomly assigned to receive intraoperative administration of 1 of 3 viscoelastic substances: Amvisc Plus(R) (sodium hyaluronate 1.6%), O cuCoat(R) (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose 2%), or Viscoat(R) (chondroitin su lfate 4%-sodium hyaluronate 3%). Visual acuity and corneal thickness on the first postoperative day were compared between groups. Results: Patients with a best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/40 or be tter 1 day postoperatively had significantly thinner corneas (596 mu m) tha n those with a BCVA worse than 20/40 (639 mu m). There were no differences in postoperative BCVA or percentage increase in central corneal pachymetry among the 3 viscoelastic groups. Conclusion: Viscoat, Amvisc Plus, and OcuCoat were comparable in their abil ity to produce clear corneas and good vision after routine phacoemulsificat ion. J Cataract Refract Surg 2000; 26:1505-1509 (C) 2000 ASCRS and ESCRS.