Evaluation of fluid leakage into the canine vitreous humor during phacoemulsification using contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of phacoemulsification with different fluidic parameters on the intraocular tissues using contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI). PROCEDURES: Phacoemulsification with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation was performed on 10 pairs of enucleated canine eyes. Irrigation fluid containing diluted MRI contrast agent was used, with the bottle height/the vacuum pressure set at 50 cm/80 mmHg for one eye (Group L) and at 120 cm/150 mmHg for the opposite eye (Group H). CE-MRI was carried out immediately after phacoemulsification to evaluate the presence of anterior hyaloid membrane detachment (AHD) and the leakage volume-to-vitreous volume ratio (LV/VV%). The ultrasound time, the volume of irrigation solution used, and the total irrigation time were recorded.
RESULTS: AHD was seen in seven of the 10 eyes in Group L and in nine of the 10 eyes in Group H. Fluid leakage into the vitreous humor (LV/VV%) was significantly greater in Group H than in Group L (P < 0.01). The LV/VV% was also correlated with the total irrigation time in both groups (P < 0.05). The volume of irrigation solution used in Group H was significantly greater than that used in Group L (P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the ultrasound time between the two groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Low fluidic parameters led to decreased fluid passage through the zonules, reducing fluid passage into the vitreous. These may also lead to reduced surgical stress on the intraocular tissues by decreasing the amount of irrigation solution used during phacoemulsification in the dog.