Corneal Endothelial Comparison of BSS and Optosol Solution in Phacoemulsification

Pornchai Simaroj M.D.
Rungroj Lerdvitayasakul M.D.
Sodsuay Sujarithammakul Eng.

ABSTRACT : objective : This prospective systematic randomized study is to compare the efficacy in corneal endothelial preservation of the two brand of intraocular irrigating solutions (BSS and Optosol)
                    Methods : Seventy consecutive patients underwent phacoemulsification technique with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation by the same surgeon. The two intraocular irrigating solutions were randomized between the consecutive eyes. BSS (Alcon laboratories, LTD) was used in 38 eyes and Optosol (Thai Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd) was used in 32 eyes. Preoperative and 3-month postoperative corneal thickness, endothelial cells density (cell/mm?) and coefficient of variation (% CV) of cell size were studied and the two groups were statistically compared.
                    Results : Mean changes in preoperative and postoperative corneal thickness, endothelial cell density, coefficient of variation of cell size and intraocular pressure was not statistically significant different between the two groups. Mean endothelial cell loss was 11.32 ? 9.73% in BSS group and 11.98 ? 13.18% in Optosol group with no statistically difference (p = 0.23). Intraocular pressure significantly decreased from the preoperative baseline at the third months postoperative visit in both treatment groups (BSS p = 3.30 ; Optosol p= 4.04).
                    Conclusion : The imported intraocular irrigating solution (BSS) and the local made solution (Optosol) are equally useful and safe in cataract surgery. There were no statistically significant difference between treatment groups with regard to preoperative versus postoperative corneal thickness, incidence and magnitude of corneal edema, magnitude of intraocular pressure changes over baseline including percentage of corneal endothelial cell loss and coefficient of variation.

Thai J Ophthalmol 2002 ; January-June 16(1) : 27-34.

Key word : Balanced salt solution, phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation, corneal endothelial cell, corneal thickness, intraocular pressure