[Reduction of endothelial cell number by cataract operation with intraocular thymoxamine administration. A randomized, double-blind study].

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Thymoxamine, an alpha-1-receptor blocker, considerably enhances miosis when given intraocularly in combination with acetylcholine. We investigated whether intraocular use of thymoxamine 0.02% reduced the number of endothelial cells.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

After phacoemulsification of 59 eyes, either thymoxamine 0.02%, acetylcholine 1.0% or buffered saline solution was given intraocularly. With a contact specular microscope, corneal endothelial cell photographs were taken on the day before treatment and 3 days and 6 weeks after surgery.

RESULTS:

There were no statistically significant differences between endothelial cell counts of eyes treated with thymoxamine (-7.2%), acetylcholine (-10.2%) or BSS (-9.4%).

CONCLUSION:

This study shows for the first time that thymoxamine, when given in the anterior chamber after phacoemulsification, does not cause a greater loss of endothelial cells than acetylcholine or buffered saline solution.

• Authors: O K Schwenn, O Schellein, N Pfeiffer, F Grehn
• Journal: Der Ophthalmologe : Zeitschrift der Deutschen Ophthalmologischen Gesellschaft (Ophthalmologe) Vol. 94 Issue 2 Pg. 136-40 (Feb 1997) ISSN: 0941-293X [Print] Germany
• Vernacular Title: Endothelzellzahlreduktion durch Kataraktoperation bei intraokularer Anwendung von Thymoxamin. Randomisierte doppelt maskierte Studie.
• PMID: 9156638 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, English Abstract, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Miotics
• Ophthalmic Solutions
• Acetylcholine
• Moxisylyte

Topics

• Acetylcholine (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Cell Count (drug effects)
• Double-Blind Method
• Endothelium, Corneal (drug effects)
• Female
• Humans
• Lenses, Intraocular
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Miotics (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Moxisylyte (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Ophthalmic Solutions
• Phacoemulsification