[Protective effect on the corneal endothelium and remaining effect at the anterior chamber for three different kinds of viscoelastic devices].

Purpose: The present study was performed to evaluate the corneal endothelium protection and anterior chamber stagnation abilities of three different types of viscoelastic substances (Healon, Viscoat, HealonV).

Methods: Viscoelastic substances were selected at random for 120 eyes with cataracts, and the postoperative reduction rates of the corneal endothelium cells were compared. The residual viscoelastic substances after filling of the anterior chamber of pig eyes and aspiration with a handpiece were measured by an anterior eye segment image analysis system. The same procedures were performed in rabbit eyes and the residual levels of viscoelastic substances on the corneal endothelium were photographed histologically.

Results: The reduction rate of endothelium corneal cells tended to decrease with Viscoat three months after surgery. The results obtained with the anterior eye segment image analysis system showed that the residual level in the anterior chamber was higher with Healon. Histological analyses demonstrated residual Viscoat at the center of the corneal endothelium after perfusion.

Conclusion: HealonV was superior in terms of spatial retention and Viscoat had corneal endothelium protection potential.