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Effect of Humidity on Posterior Lens Opacification During Fluid-Air Exchange
Joseph B. Harlan, Jr, MD;
Eric T. Lee, PhD;
Patrick S. Jensen, PhD;
Eugene de Juan, Jr, MD
Arch Ophthalmol. 1999;117:802-804.
Objective To study the relationship of humidity and the rate of lens opacity formation during fluid-air exchange using an animal model.
Methods Vitrectomy and fluid-air exchange was carried out using 16 eyes of 8 pigmented rabbits. One eye of each rabbit was exposed to dry air and the fellow eye received humidified air using an intraocular air humidifier. In each case, the percent humidity of the intraocular air was measured using an in-line hygrometer. Elapsed time from initial air entry to lens feathering was recorded for each eye, with the surgeon-observer unaware of the percent humidity of the air infusion.
Results In each rabbit, use of humidified air resulted in a delay in lens feathering (P<.02), with an overall increase in time to feathering of 80% for humidified air vs room air.
Conclusions Use of a humidifier during fluid-air exchange prolongs intraoperative lens clarity in the rabbit model, suggesting that humidified air should prolong lens clarity during phakic fluid-air exchange in patients.
Clinical Relevance Use of humidified air during vitrectomy and fluid-air exchange may retard the intra-operative loss of lens clarity, promoting better visualization of the posterior segment and enhancing surgical performance.
From the Wilmer Eye Institute (Drs Harlan and de Juan), Johns Hopkins University Hospital; and Johns Hopkins Microsurgery Advanced Design Laboratory (Drs Lee, Jensen, and de Juan), Baltimore, Md. Johns Hoplins Microsurgery Advanced Design Laboratory may receive royalties related to the sale of the intraocular air humidifier. Dr de Juan has assigned any royalties to defray operating costs of the laboratory.
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