Irrigation with thapsigargin and various concentrations of 5-fluorouracil in a sealed-capsule irrigation device in young rabbit eyes to prevent after-cataract.

AIM: To investigate the effect on after-cataract and synechiae formation after clear lens extraction and irrigation with different substances in a sealed-capsule irrigation device.

SETTING

St Erik's Eye Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.

METHODS

Clear lens extraction was performed in one eye of 42 4-week-old rabbits. The sealed-capsule irrigation device was applied and the sealed system was irrigated for 2 min with 20 ml of one of four substances: balanced salt solution (BSS), thapsigargin, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 50 mg/ml, or 5-FU 25 mg/ml. The substance then was washed out for 10 s with BSS. The eyes were left aphakic. Formation of after-cataract and synechiae was evaluated during two clinical examinations 3.5 and 5.5 weeks postoperatively, by photographs 5 weeks postoperatively, and by histologic evaluation of haematoxylin-eosin-stained slides after the 6-week end point postoperatively. After-cataract and synechiae were graded on a scale from 0 to 4. Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance with multiple comparisons was used for statistical analyses.

RESULTS

5-FU 50 mg/ml prevented after-cataract and synechiae formation best when compared with all other substances at all evaluations. 5-FU 25 mg/ml was not as effective, and thapsigargin was ineffective in this animal model.

CONCLUSION

5-FU 50 mg/ml used in the sealed-capsule irrigation device satisfactorily prevents after-cataract and synechiae. Thapsigargin was ineffective in this animal model.