Effect of Intracameral Injection of Epinephrine 1:10,000 with Sodium Bisulfite Preservative during Phacoemulsification on Corneal Endothelium Using Specular Microscopy

Abstract Background Endothelial cell density (ECD), morphology and central corneal thickness (CCT) are important because they facilitate the assessment of the functional reserve of the endothelium in patients before any intraocular surgery. Aim of the Work The goal of this study was to measure the changes in corneal endothelium using non- contact specular microscopy in eyes that underwent uneventful phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. Patients and Methods A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted for a period of six months on a group of 50 patients at the Ophthalmology Department, Ain Shams University Hospital, half of which underwent phacoemulsification and IOL implantation with injection of intracameral epinephrine 1:10,000 with sodium bisulfite as a preservative, and the other half underwent the same procedure without injection of intracameral epinephrine. Results There was no statistically significant difference between both groups regarding CD (Cell Density), with a P-value = 0.089, and also regarding SD (Standard Deviation), CV (Coefficient of Variation), HEX (Hexagonal Cells) and CCT (Central Corneal Thickness), with P-value 0.177, 0.770, 0.144 and 0.961 respectively. Conclusion Intracameral epinephrine 1:10,000 with sodium bisulfite could improve pupillary dilatation and is safe on the corneal endothelium as well.