This study compared how well two sodium hyaluronate viscoelastics maintained the anterior chamber during cataract surgery in eyes at risk for high vitreous pressure. Patients were divided into two groups based on the sodium hyaluronate used: Healon or Healon GV. Qualitative data were obtained with a digital slide gauge attached to the operating microscope. After capsulorhexis, mean anterior chamber depth (distance of the corneal apex to the iris plane) was significantly greater in the Healon GV group (P = .0012). Subjective intraoperative evaluation by surgeons also favored Healon GV. There was no difference between the groups in postoperative inflammation, corneal edema, intraocular pressure, or visual acuity. Therefore, although the two viscoelastics are equally safe, Healon GV maintains the anterior chamber better during cataract surgery.

Following retinal detachment, subretinal fluid (SRF) fills the neoformed space. Subsequently subretinal and preretinal strands of proliferative tissue begin to form. We have collected the subretinal fluid withdrawn during retinal detachment surgery. We have studied subretinal fluid cytologically to evaluate the number and the type of cells present in the fluid, and by means of transmission electron microscopy. The first cell type to be present in the fluid represented degenerated aspects of pigmented epithelial cells (PECs). Successively, other cell types appeared in the fluid as nerve cells (rods, cones and glial cells), macrophages and well preserved pigmented epithelial cells.