Effect of phacoemulsification fluid flow on the corneal endothelium: experimental study in rabbit eyes

Abstract

To quantify the damage to the corneal endothelium from the flow of a balanced salt solution during phacoemulsification.

Effect of longitudinal and torsional ultrasound on corneal endothelial cells: experimental study in rabbit eyes

“…Results from that study indicated that the volume of irrigating flow alone does not seem to be a major contributing source of endothelial cell damage and loss. 13 In this current study, we focused on the effect of US energy on the corneal endothelium, comparing 2 phacoemulsification modes. In the torsional mode, the tip of the handpiece oscillates in longitudinal waves, as in the conventional, longitudinal mode, but also has a side-to-side tip motion to emulsify the lens.…”

“…Results from that study indicated that the volume of irrigating flow alone does not seem to be a major contributing source of endothelial cell damage and loss. 13…”

Effect of simulated lenticular debris on corneal endothelial cells: experimental study in rabbit eyes

“…In the first study of our experiment series performed using the rabbit model, we isolated the variable of fluid flow/volume during phacoemulsification by using different amounts of balanced salt solution without ultrasound. 10 The results from that study suggested that volume of balanced salt solution flow alone does not contribute to CEC damage and loss. The second study in this experiment series evaluated the effects of ultrasound energy on the corneal endothelium.…”

“…The first study evaluated the effect of fluid volume/flow on CEC damage and loss. 10 Three groups were evaluated: no irrigation, irrigation of 250 mL, and irrigation of 500 mL (rate of 50 mL/min). There was no statistically significant difference between the 3 groups when comparing the percentage of intact cells, damaged cells, and lost cells.…”

Corneal endothelium protection provided by ophthalmic viscosurgical devices during phacoemulsification: experimental study in rabbit eyes

“…ultrasound, and that swirling lenticular debris causes significant mechanical damage to CECs. [3][4][5] Ophthalmic viscosurgical devices (OVDs) represent one of the main tools used to minimize intraocular tissue damage during phacoemulsification. 6 Their viscous and elastic properties allow surgeons to maintain anterior chamber depth, visibility, and tissue protection; different types of OVDs can be carefully selected and used for different purposes.…”