The Effects of 2% Methylcellulose as Viscoelastic Substance on Rabbit Eye

To compare the corneal reaction of the widely used viscoelastic substance such as Healon, Amvisc and newly developed and less expensive viscoelastis substance(2% Methylcellulose) which was made at our hospital. 0.2ml each of varrious viscous solution were injected into the anterior chamber of rabbit eyes and their reactions were observed. BSS(Balanced Salt Solution) was used as a control.

1) Intraocular pressure was elevated to the peak in 1 hour after injection of BSS(26.6±7.2mmHg), in 3 hours after injectuon of Amvisc®(31.6±8.8mm), MC(28.7±5.5mmHg) and in 5 hours after injection of Healon®(30.8±7.3mmHg). Intraocular pressure returned to normal at 12 hours after injection of MC group and BSS group, while Healon® and Amvisc® group returned to normal at 24 hours.

2) Central corneal thickness was increased to the peak 24 hours after injection in all groups; Healon®(40.2±18.5 µm), Amvisc®(395±14.7µm), MC(421±17.4µm) and control BSS(409±20.2µm). Corneal thickness returned to normal after 4 days in Healon® and control groups but it took 6 days for Amvisc® and MC group.

3) The endothelial cell density 2 weeks after injection were healon 2287±l98cell/mm². Amvisc® 2515±l8lcell/mm², MC 2341±l73cell/mm², and BSS 2726±85cell/mm².

4) The endothelial cells under the scanning electron minoscope showed decreased microvilli and indistinct intercellular junction in all groups except control BSS group. Scanning electron micrograph 2 weeks after injection of Amvisc® showed the findings of more edematous endothelial cells compared with those of other groups.