Conclusion
Dispersive OVDs from this study showed greater adherence to the endothelial surface than the cohesive ones. Furthermore, postoperative endothelial cell counts of corneas treated with dispersive OVDs were higher than of corneas treated with cohesive OVDs. Our in vitro results suggest that dispersive OVDs protect the corneal endothelium better during phacoemulsification than cohesive OVDs.
Objective
During phacoemulsification, the corneal endothelium is protected by an ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD). In this in vitro study, we assessed six different OVDs for their effectiveness in protecting the corneal endothelium.
Results
The least postoperative endothelial coating and cell count were observed in the cohesive OVDs while the dispersive OVDs showed statistically significant higher values. Healon EndoCoat and Viscoat yielded a coating area of 86 (85-92)% and 85 (85-90)%, respectively. Endothelial cell count was highest in the two dispersive groups with 4065 (3928-4088) cells/mm2 (Methylvisc) and 4032 (4015-4115) cells/mm2 (Viscoat). Endothelial coating area and endothelial cell count correlated statistically significantly.