Abstract
Purpose: :
To assess the efficacy of GenTeal gel in maintaining corneal clarity during small incision cataract surgery.
Methods: :
GenTeal gel was used in ten cases of small incision cataract surgery with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implant. Several of these cases consisted of advanced cataracts where capsular staining was used and operative time was lengthened. Corneal clarity was measured on a grade of I to IV scale before and after the surgery. In addition, the frequency of applications and amount of gel used were documented.
Results: :
GenTeal gel maintained excellent corneal clarity during small incision cataract surgeries with applications ranging from three to five times in complicated cases that ranged from 35 to 65 minutes. Applications lasted an average of 12.0 minutes and total volume used ranged from 0.4 cc to 0.7cc.
Conclusions: :
GenTeal gel contains Hydroxypropyl Methocellulose and is preserved with sodium perborate. Sodium perborate produces hydrogen peroxide and an inert salt as its breakdown products which neutralizes to water and oxygen when used on the ocular surface. GenTeal gel is not toxic to the cornea. It provides long duration of effect, allowing few applications and maintaining good surgical view and corneal clarity during cataract surgery. It can be used as an excellent alternative corneal wetting agent for cataract surgery.
Keywords: cataract • refractive surgery: optical quality • small incision cataract surgery