The Effects of Ascorbic Acid on Intraocular Pressure Elevation by Viscoelastic Substance.

Chung, Sung Kun; Baek, Nam Ho

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 1993;34(4):311-320.
Published online April 1, 1993.

The Effects of Ascorbic Acid on Intraocular Pressure Elevation by Viscoelastic Substance.

Sung Kun Chung, Nam Ho Baek

Department of Ophthalmology, St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic University Medical College, Seoul, Korea.

아스코르빈산이 점탄물질로 인한 안압상승에 미치는 효과

정성근(Sung Kun Chung),백남호(Nam Ho Baek)

Abstract

We evaluated intraocular pressure(IOP), remained radioactivity of 51Cr tagged Healon(R) in the anterior chamber following lens aspiration in rabbit eyes, and ultrastructual changes of trabecular meshwork were observed after intravenous injection of ascorbic acid. The average lOPs returned to preoperative lOP level on the postoperative seventh day in control group. While, those in experimental group returned on the postoperative third day. Healon(R) was completely outflowed in control group on the postoperative seventh day and in experimental group, on the postoperative third day. There is a significant correlation between lOP and remained radioactivity rate of Healon(R) in control and experimental group. Under scanning electron microscope examination, the control group showed the most of Healon(R) debris outflowed on the postoperative seventh day. On the other hand, the experimental group showed no Healon(R) debris was observed on the postoperative third day. In conclusion, our experiment showed ascorbic acid is effective in lowering intraocular pressure and preventing chance of intraocular pressure elevation.

Key Words: Ascorbic acid;51Cr tagged Healon(R);Intraocular pressure;Radioactivity;Trabecular meshwork