Application of thermoreversible (poloxamer) hydrogels for protection of corneal endothelium during phacoemulsification in porcine eyes: an experimental study
Session Details
Session Title: Presented Poster Session: FLACS & Others
Venue: Poster Village: Pod 1
First Author: : J.Choi SOUTH KOREA
Co Author(s): : Y. Han S. Kim
Abstract Details
Purpose:
To evaluate the possibility whether thermoreversible (poloxamer) hydrogel is applicable for the substitutes of ophthalmic viscosurgical devices (OVD) during phacoemulsification. Purpose of this study is to find appropriate concentration of poloxamer hydrogel under the room temperature and compare the endothelial adherence with cohesive, dispersive OVD during phacoemulsification.
Setting:
Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul Metropolitan Government-Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center
Methods:
20~26% (weigt/weight%) thermoreversible hydrogels were prepared by cold technique which were dissolved in balanced salt solution and left for 8 hours in room temperature (24 oC). Fluorescein stained poloxamer hydrogels of different concentrations, cohesive and dispersive OVD were injected into the anterior chamber of porcine eye incubated in 32 oC. During the continuous phacoemulsification under the endothelium, retention time was measured. 30 porcine eyes were assigned to 3 equal sized group.
Results:
26% thermosensitive hydrogel which did not show the phase transition to sol in anterior chamber with 24 oC irrigation solution was identified as an appropriate concentration. Experiment under 32 oC of incubated irrigation solution, 24% poloxamer hydrogel was also appropriate. The time required for the removal of cohesive and dispersive OVD was 10.78±1.70 (mean±SD) and 98.91±6.20 second, respectively (p<0.001). 26% of poloxamer hydrogel was not removed throughout the phacoemulsification and maintained as semi-solid gel. Poloxamer hydrogels left in anterior chamber was easily removed by manual irrigation with 15 oC balanced salt solution through main incision.
Conclusions:
Thermoreversible hydrogel can be a potentially suitable material for the corneal endothelial protection during phacoemulsification as substitutes of hyaluronic acid based OVD.
Financial Disclosure:
NONE
