Purpose: To measure the nitric oxide (NO) level in the aqueous humor of rabbit eyes after common cataract surgery techniques.
Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Military Medical University, and Department of Immunology and Immunotoxicology of Respiratory System, Clinic of Pneumonology and Allergology, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland.
Methods: Thirty rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups, and surgery was performed as follows: Group 1, extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) intraocular lens (IOL) implantation; Group 2, ECCE; Group 3, phacoemulsification and foldable acrylic IOL implantation; Group 4, phacoemulsification. The aqueous humor specimens were collected on days 1, 3, and 5. Nitric oxide measurements were performed indirectly with a spectrophotometer. The NO level in the aqueous humor collected before surgery served as a control group.
Results: In the physiological condition, the concentration of NO was 26.52 nm/dL +/- 4.86 (SD). Postoperatively, the highest NO level in each groups was as follows: Group 1, 46.26 +/- 5.23 nm/dL on day 3; Group 2, 72.46 +/- 6.94 nm/dL on day 1; Group 3, 41.04 +/- 7.31 nm/dL on day 1; and Group 4, 32.67 +/- 2.84 nm/dL on day 3. Significantly higher levels of NO (P <.05) were observed in Groups 1 and 2 at each follow-up day; in Group 3, on days 1 and 3; and in Group 4, on day 3.
Conclusions: Techniques of cataract extraction caused the NO level to increase; however, phacoemulsification with a foldable IOL caused the smallest release of NO. Rapid postoperative NO changes may theoretically contribute to blood-aqueous barrier breakdown secondary to cataract surgery.