Comparative study between the effects of different concentrations of methylcellulose on the corneal endothelium during phacoemulsification

Purpose To study the effect of different concentrations of methylcellulose on the corneal endothelium during phacoemulsification using specular microscopy. Patients and methods Sixty patients with immature senile cataract were equally distributed into two groups according to the concentrations of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) used during phacoemulsification surgeries. In the first group, HPMC 2% was used, and in the second group, HPMC 2.4% was used. Preoperative and 1-month postoperative evaluations were done including visual acuity testing, slit lamp examination using Topcon SL-3C, intraocular pressure measurement using Goldmann Applanation Tonometer, fundus examination, and corneal endothelium assessment by Tomey Specular Microscope EM-3000. Results Preoperatively, no significant difference was recorded in age, sex, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and endothelial cell count among the two groups. Postoperatively, the two groups had a significant decrease in endothelial cell count, but the decrease was less in group 2 using methylcellulose 2.4% (13.494%) than in group 1 using methylcellulose 2% (14.515%). There was an equal and significant improvement in visual acuity in the two groups. Conclusion Methylcellulose 2.4% and methylcellulose 2% were comparable in their ability to protect the corneal endothelium during phacoemulsification; in general, both viscoelastics can be effeciently and safely used in performing phacoemulsification.