Extracapsular cataract extraction with hyaluronate sodium.

Extracapsular cataract extraction may result in a lower incidence of cystoid macular edema, but it may be a different operation from a technical standpoint. We tried a method using 1% hyaluronate sodium (Healon) as the irrigating vehicle during the procedure. The high viscosity of hyaluronate prevents posterior capsule rupture and its coating effect protects the corneal endothelium from trauma. In the study 20 eyes received the extracapsular extraction using a traditional technique with balanced salt solution. Another 20 eyes received the surgery using hyaluronate. The resulting endothelial cell counts, postoperatively, showing significantly less loss of endothelial cell using hyaluronate.