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Phaco can be performed safely without the use of viscoelastic

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ROME — Phacoemulsification without the use of viscoelastic is a safe and effective procedure, according to a study presented here.

Continuous anterior chamber irrigation maintains a stable chamber and protects the endothelium from surgically induced damage. Potential advantages of not using viscoelastic are a lower risk of IOP spikes and a faster surgical time.

"Cataract surgery can be carried out in 3 minutes," Bojan Pajic, MD, said at the winter meeting of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons.

In a study carried out in Switzerland, 126 patients were divided in two groups — one operated with viscoelastic and one without.

"Postoperative data showed no significant difference between the groups regarding cell size, cell shape and IOP," Dr. Pajic said.

However, a significant correlation was observed between cell loss and age of the patients in both groups.