Comparative study on the effects of methyl cellulose 2.5 percent and sodium chloride 5 percent in the treatment of corneal edema after cataract surgery

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of sodium chloride 5 percent and methyl cellulose 2.5 percent in the treatment of corneal edema after cataract surgery using phacoemulosification method. Methods: In a clinical trial study, 70 patients with corneal edema underwent phacoemulsification surgery. They were randomly divided in two groups of 35 patients. Sodium chloride 5 percent drop in the first group and methyl cellulose 2.5 drop in the second group were administered every three hours and corneal thickness was measured before and 1, 4, 8, 15 and 30 days after surgery and compared in the two groups. Findings: No statistical difference between the two groups was found regarding decrease in corneal edema, but speed of decreasing was faster in methylcellulose group. At 4th day after the surgery, the amount of edema decreasing in sodium chloride group was 5.00 percent as well as 12.19 percent in methyl cellulose group and the difference between the two groups was significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Using of methyl cellulose 2.5 percent in treatment of corneal edema after cataract surgery with phacoemulosification method can decrease edema in shorter time than sodium chloride. So we recommend using of methyl cellulose if not contraindicated otherwise. � 2016, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.