Intracameral pilocarpine in topical phacoemulsification

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and corneal toxicity of intracameral pilocarpine.

Method: A randomized, control trial using contralateral eye as control was designed to evaluate the effect of intracameral pilocarpine during phacoemulsification in 30 patients. 0.13 mg/ml pilocarpine in BSS was used as an irrigating solution to remove viscoelastic agents at the end of the operation while BSS was used in the control group. The outcome measurements composed of intraoperative pre and post irrigation pupil diameter, pre and post operative endothelial cell count and corneal thickness.

Setting: Priests Hospital.

Results: The pre-irrigation pupil size in the pilocarpine group and the control group was 7.62 +/- 0.75 mm and 7.60 +/- 0.77 mm respectively. The post-irrigation pupil size in the pilocarpine group and the control group was 5.40 +/- 0.79 mm and 7.18 +/- 0.79 mm. There were no statistically differences in pre and post-operative endothelial cell density, central corneal thickness, and the average corneal thickness between the pilocarpine group and the control group during six months follow-up.

Conclusion: Intracameral pilocarpine in a low concentration (0.13 mg/ml) effectively constricts the pupil without significant changes of corneal endothelium compared to the control group.