Intrastromal Air Injection Versus Hydration For Wound Sealing In Phacoemulsification

To determine safety and efficacy of intrastromal air injection for wound sealing in phacoemulsification.

To compare between this novel technique and conventional intrastromal hydration as regards safety and efficacy.

100 eyes of 100 patients with age-related cataract were included. They were divided randomly into two groups: group A; intrastromal hydration technique was used, and group B;  intrastromal air injection was used. Both groups were matched for age and lens opacity grade(LOGS).

All eyes underwent unevenfull phacoemulsification with IOL implantation.

Comparative outcomes one month postoperatively: wound sealing and healing (anterior segment OCT), endothelial cell count and morphology (specular microscopy), postoperative complications, corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA).

There was statistically insignificant difference between both groups as regards age, LOGS, baseline endothelial study.

No cases of postoperative complications were reported.

Perfect wound sealing detected early postoperative and healing by primary intension occurred as detected by anterior segement OCT one month postoperatively.

The difference in CDVA and postoperative endothelial study at one month was statistically insignificant between both groups.

Intrastromal air injection is a safe and as effective technique as intrastromal hydration for wound sealing during phacoemulsification.