EFFECT OF LUBRICANTS ON CORNEAL THICKNESS AFTER VITRECTOMY

• Authors: Diane T Siegel, Emory University; George Hubbard, Emory University; Jiong Yan, Emory University; Blaine Cribbs, Emory University; Nieraj Jain, Emory University; Steven Yeh, Emory University; Diem Bui, Emory University; Jesse Smith, Emory University; Scott Barb, Emory University; William Pearce, Emory University; Laura Ward, Emory University; Andrew Hendrick, Emory University
• Journal Title: RETINA-THE JOURNAL OF RETINAL AND VITREOUS DISEASES
• Volume: Volume 40, Number 8
• Publisher: LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS | 2020-08-01, Pages 1616-1622
• Type of Work: Article | Post-print: After Peer Review
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1097/IAE.0000000000002639
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery; Health Sciences, Public Health
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Ophthalmology; pars plana vitrectomy; surgical technique; corneal edema; corneal surface lubricants; EPITHELIAL DEBRIDEMENT; SODIUM HYALURONATE; CLOSED VITRECTOMY; HAND-HELD; COMPLICATIONS; 2-PERCENT; DAMAGE

Abstract

Purpose: This study examines the impact of corneal surface lubricants used during pars plana vitrectomy on corneal edema. Methods: This prospective, observational, clinical study occurred at an academic institution. Participants were individuals aged 18 years and older who had already consented to undergo pars plana vitrectomy, without pre-existing corneal pathology. A corneal lubricant was chosen by the surgeon. Corneal thickness was measured preoperatively and postoperatively using pachymetry and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). Main outcome measure was change in corneal thickness as measured by pachymetry. Results: Forty-one patients completed the study protocol. The 23 subjects in the SHCS group had a significantly smaller increase in corneal thickness as measured by pachymetry compared with the 18 subjects in the HPMC group (29.9 mm vs. 58.1 mm, P value 0.02). When measured by anterior segment optical coherence tomography, the SHCS group had a smaller increase in corneal thickness compared with the HPMC group (0.04 mm vs. 0.06 mm, P value 0.09) but did not reach significance. Conclusion: SHCS is associated with reduced postoperative increase in corneal pachymetry as compared to HPMC.