Air and the corneal endothelium: an in vivo specular microscopy study in cats
R. J. Olson
In 25 cat eyes 0.7 mL of air and in 11 cat eyes 0.7 mL of balanced salt
solution were injected into the anterior chamber after paracentesis. This
air persisted for three to four days, and specular microscopy was performed
before and two months after air injection. There was an overall significant
decrease in the endothelial cell density as a percentage of the
preinjection density for the eyes with air when compared with those with
balanced salt solution (102% +/- 7% for balanced salt solution and 93% +/-
11% for air). Thus, while air is generally well tolerated by the corneal
endothelium, it is a toxic material in the anterior chamber and probably
can cause endothelial damage. If not otherwise indicated and if safe to do
so, it seems best to avoid its use or to replace it with physiologic
solutions after its use.
