Glycerine assisted vitreoretinal surgery in edematous cornea.

PURPOSE: To describe the use of glycerine in improving media clarity in cases with edematous cornea. METHODS: Retrospective case-series including patients with posterior segment pathologies needing surgical invention and having corneal edema. Each case was studied for the role of topical application of glycerine instead of viscoelastic agents and the course of surgery. The cases were followed up for minimum 3-months duration. RESULTS: Six cases with corneal edema having posterior segment pathology underwent surgery with intraoperative topical application of glycerine. The corneal edema was seen to clear with progression of surgery and was maintained until the end of surgery. Procedures like vitreoretinal surgery, identification of break, internal limiting membrane peeling, intraocular lens explantation, scleral indentation, DSEK graft removal, and subretinal band removal could be performed in these cases. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative glycerine use during vitreoretinal surgeries is helpful in improving the corneal clarity and maintaining it till the end of surgery.