Effects of senofilcon A mechanical protector on corneal endothelial cells during phacoemulsification in rabbit eyes: Pilot study

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of a senofilcon A mechanical protector against corneal endothelial cell damage induced by phacoemulsification in rabbit eyes.

Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul Metropolitan Government-Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea.

Design: Experimental study.

Methods: The endothelial cell count, intraocular pressure (IOP), and central corneal thickness (CCT) were measured before and 3 days after the experiment in 26 rabbit eyes randomized into a test group and control group (6 per group). In study 1, a senofilcon A mechanical protector was inserted into the anterior chamber in the hard-shell group (test group) whereas, an ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD) was injected in the cohesive group (control group). Phacoemulsification was performed for a total of 5 minutes (10-second intervals). In study 2, the soft-shell technique was used in the control group with 5 minutes of continuous phacoemulsification. In 2 eyes, the safety and toxicity of the mechanical protector were evaluated.

Results: In study 1, there was a 4% loss of endothelial cells associated with the mechanical protector and an 18% loss after phacoemulsification in eyes injected with an OVD; the difference between them was not statistically significant (P = .394). The IOP and CCT also showed nonsignificant differences in both studies. In study 2, the hard-shell technique induced significantly less endothelial cell damage than the soft-shell group (P = .026). Endothelial cell loss caused by the mechanical protector was negligible.

Conclusion: The senofilcon A mechanical protector had a protective effect against corneal endothelial cell damage during phacoemulsification in rabbits.