Ringer lactate similar to standard salt solution

Ringer lactate has a similar effect to a fortified balanced salt solution on corneal endothelial cell loss after phacoemulsification.

A team led by Dr Barun K. Nayak, Hinduja Hospital, Veer Sawarkar Marg, Mahim, Mumbai, India, conducted a prospective randomized controlled double-blinded clinical study on 75 eyes of 75 patients with senile cataract up to nuclear grade III. All patients were randomized to receive a fortified balanced salt solution (Group A) or Ringer lactate (Group B) as an intraocular irrigating solution.

Corneal endothelial cell density was the primary outcome and pachymetry was recorded preoperatively and one week and one and six months after treatment.

The results revealed no significant difference in postoperative percentage of endothelial cell loss between the two groups at one week, one month and 6 month follow-ups.

Postoperative percentage change in pachymetry was not significant between the two groups at the one week or one month follow-ups but there was a significant difference at the six-month follow-up.

 Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery 