The Effect of Anterior Chamber Irrigation with OcuLarsol(R) on the Corneal Endothelial Cells

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To verify the stability and effect of OcuLarsol(R), which was newly developed for irrigating solution, by evaluating influence on cornea. METHODS: In vivo study group, after an irrigation and aspiration instrument was put into rabbit's anterior chamber one eye was irrigated with OcuLarsol(R) for 15 minutes, and the other eye with the balanced salt solution (BSS(R), Alcon, USA). After the operation, corneal changes were observed for a week. In vitro study group, after enucleating of rabbits' eyeballs, corneas were mounted in a dual chambered specular microscope and perfused with glutathione bicarbonate Ringer's solution (GBR) for one hour one cornea of the pair was perfused with OcuLarsol(R) and the other cornea was perfused with BSS(R) for 2-3 hours. After perfusion, corneal swelling rates and endothelial permeability were measured. RESULTS: In vivo study group, central corneal thickness measurement and endothelial cell count showed that there was no significant difference between the two groups on the day of operation, and 1st, 3rd and 7th day after the operation (p>0.05). Corneal endothelial observation with Alizarin red S, HandE stain, and scanning electron microscope detected no difference in cell shape and density. In vitro study group, corneal swelling rates and endothelial permeability showed no significant difference between OcuLarsol(R) and BSS(R) group and transmission electron microscope showed endothelial cells with normal organelles in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference between the two irrigating solutions, BSS(R) and OcuLarsol(R), in terms of effect and side effects.