Comparison of Two Techniques in Phacoemulsification: Hydroimplantation and Viscoimplantation

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare hydroimplantation and viscoimplantation techniques in phacoemulsification surgery by analyzing corneal tomography parameters and changes in intraocular pressure (IOP).
METHODS: This retrospective study included 74 eyes of 74 consecutive patients who underwent phacoemulsification surgery and implantation of a foldable intraocular lens (IOL). Each eye was assigned to either the viscoelastic material (VEM) group (VEM(+); (n=39) or the VEM (–) group (n=35). Accordingly, IOL implantation was performed with VEM (1.4% sodium hyaluronate; Protectalon, VSY, Turkey) in the VEM(+) group, whereas hydroimplantation without VEM was used in the VEM (–) group. Post-operative examinations were performed on post-operative days 1, 3, and 7, and at 1 month.
RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in IOP between the VEM(+) and VEM(–) groups before surgery or at any post-operative time point except at 24 h. At 24 h postoperatively, the VEM(+) group had a significantly higher IOP compared to the VEM(–) group (p=0.010). In addition, the central corneal thickness at 1 month was significantly higher in the VEM(+) group than in the VEM(–) group (p=0.027). No statistically significant differences were found be-tween the groups in best corrected visual acuity, anterior chamber depth, and axial length. There was no posterior capsule rupture or zonular dialysis in either group.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Phacoemulsification using the hydroimplantation technique appears to be a safe and feasible approach that may help mitigate early post-operative IOP elevation; however, assessing corneal endothelial cell function by specular microscopy would be important for a more comprehensive safety comparison between techniques.

Keywords: Hydroimplantation, Intraocular pressure, Phacoemulsification, Viscoimplantation