Safety of Polyacrylamide 1.5% Left in Anterior Chamber in Combined Phacoemulsification and Pars Plana Vitrectomy Surgery

Purpose: To evaluate safety, efficacy and postoperative characteristics of polyacrylamide 1.5% ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD) left in anterior chamber during and at the end of combined phacoemulsification and pars plana vitrectomy surgery. Materials and Methods: This prospective study comprised 20 eyes that received combined phacoemulsification and pars plana vitrectomy performed by the same surgeon. Polyacrylamide 1.5% was left in anterior chamber at the end of the surgery. Preoperative and postoperative examinations (4, 12 and 24 hours; 14 days; 1 and 3 months) included measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP), central corneal thickness (CCT), endothelial cell density and assessment of any ocular adverse reactions. Results : Four of the 20 patients (20%) showed increased IOP at hours postoperatively and needed medical treatment for IOP control. There was no significant difference in IOP between the preoperative visit and postoperative 3 months (p>0.05). CCT measurements were similar between preoperative and postoperative visits (p>0.05). A mean endothelial cell density loss of 6.7% was observed at postoperative day 14, however there was no change after this visit. Conclusion: Polyacrylamide 1.5% is safe, well-tolerated and protective in eyes undergoing combined phacoemulsification and pars plana vitrectomy.