Overview of the corneal toxicity of surgical solutions and drugs: and clinical concepts in corneal edema

Abstract

Surgical solutions and drugs are important in ocular surgery. These include irrigating solutions, viscoelastic substances, mydriatics and miotics, and a growing number of other agents designed to enhance intraocular surgery and its outcome. Potential for damage to the corneal endothelium and other tissues is related to the chemical composition, pH, and osmolality of the irrigating solutions that bathe tissues. Quality balanced salt solutions (BSS) are usually safe for use as an intraocular solution in patients with normal corneal endothelium. If prolonged irrigation times are expected, or the patient already has decompensated endothelium, i.e., primary or secondary endotheliopathy, the use of a "complete" BSS solution is indicated to minimize damage. Intraocular sulfite-containing epinephrine may cause severe corneal edema and should be avoided, or if used, be well diluted. Sulfite-free epinephrine solution is now available and does not cause the endothelial toxicity that one may see with sulfite-containing epinephrine solutions. Current formulations of acetylcholine and carbachol used as miotics in surgery have been evaluated in humans and caution is recommended in using acetylcholine solutions intracamerally in patients with already decompensated endothelium. Chondroitin sulfate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, and sodium hyaluronate are non-toxic to animal endothelial cells under conditions analogous to cataract extraction in humans but can be toxic to endothelium if there is continued contact with endothelium for hours. Chondroitin sulfate has been shown to have more of a protective effect in mechanical pseudophakos trauma probably because of its cohesiveness and tendency to coat the endothelium. Viscoelastics cause a significant rise in intraocular pressure of > 30 mm Hg in 3-10% of patients. Very high intraocular pressures are often seen postoperatively after viscoelastic use surgically in patients who preoperatively have a history of ocular hypertension or glaucoma.