Protective effect of free-radical scavengers on corneal endothelial damage in phacoemulsification

Damage to the cornea is largely due to the free radicals generated by high-intensity ultrasound energy during phacoemulsification. Adding the antioxidants ascorbic acid and GSSG to the irrigation solution significantly reduced the endothelial corneal cell damage. Ascorbic acid in the concentration of 10−2 M had the highest protective effect; thus, it should be evaluated for clinical use.