Hydroxyl radical formation in lactated Ringer's solution and BSS Plus(R) intraocular irrigating solution

[Abstract] Free radicals generated during phacoemulsification, a method of cataract surgery, have been shown to damage corneal endothelial cells. We compared hydroxyl radical formation (HRF) in lactated Ringer's solution (LRS) and BSS Plus(R) intraocular irrigating solution, as well as physiological saline solution (PSS) and Ringer's solution (RS). Hydroxyl radicals were generated by a phacoemulsification machine or UV irradiation in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. We measured DMPO-hydroxyl radical adducts using ESR. HRF did not significantly differ between LRS and BSS Plus(R), and tended to be smaller in LRS and BSS Plus(R) than in PSS or RS. Even if corneal damage after phacoemulsification in LRS is different from that in BSS Plus(R), the influence of HRF on this difference may be small.