Effect of epinephrine on the corneal endothelium

ABSTRACT

Intracameral epinephrine can be used to maintain papillary dilatation during surgery and control anterior segment bleeding. This work was done to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of epinephrine on the corneal endothelium. 12 rabbits were divided into 4 groups where epinephrine of concentrations 1/1000, 1/2000, 1/5000, 1/10.000 was injected intracameraly follow up was done at one hour 24 hours 2 weeks, one month by the specular microscope for endothelial morphology count and corneal thickness. Severe statistically significant changes were found in concentrations 1/1000, 1/2000 while mild statistically insignificant changes in concentration 1/5000 and negligible changes in concentration 1/10.000. we adivse never to use concentration above 1/5000. 1/5000 can be used if we are sure of healthy dense enough endothelial other wise it is more safe to use 1/10.000 concentrations for of fear cases of low endothelial density