AOR
Archives of Ophthalmological Research

The Archives of Ophthalmological Research aims to publish issues related to publish articles of the highest scientific and clinical value at an international level, and accepts articles on these topics. The target audience of the journal included specialists and physicians working in ophthalmology, and other health professionals interested in these fields.

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Original Article
Iso-osmolar 5% mannitol for post-cataract corneal edema: efficacy and tolerability
Abstract
Aims: To compare the efficacy and tolerability of topical iso-osmolar 5% mannitol with 10% mannitol and 5% sodium chloride (NaCl) for post-phacoemulsification corneal edema.
Methods: This prospective controlled study enrolled 81 patients with corneal edema after uncomplicated phacoemulsification. Patients received one of the three agents or control three times daily for 30 days. Central corneal thickness (CCT) was measured by Scheimpflug topography on postoperative days 5, 10, and 30. Day-30 tolerability was assessed on a 10-point Visual Analog Scale. Repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and linear mixed-effects models (LMEMs) were used.
Results: CCT decreased significantly in all groups (p<0.001). ANOVA showed no overall treatment effect (p=0.731) or treatment×time interaction (p=0.275). In the LMEM, 5% mannitol was associated with lower postoperative CCT than control [β=-5.83 micrometers (µm); p=0.001] and 5% NaCl (β=-4.15 µm; p=0.017), but did not differ significantly from 10% mannitol (p=0.463). Comfort scores were higher with 5% mannitol than with 10% mannitol and 5% NaCl but did not differ significantly from control (p=0.234). Preoperative CCT predicted postoperative CCT (β=0.94; p<0.001); age and gender did not.
Conclusion: Iso-osmolar 5% mannitol was associated with lower postoperative CCT than control and 5% NaCl and greater comfort than the hyperosmotic comparators. However, nonsignificant overall treatment and interaction effects and no difference from 10% mannitol preclude superiority claims. Confirmation in larger studies including baseline endothelial cell density is required.

Keywords : Corneal edema, mannitol, sodium chloride, phacoemulsification, corneal pachymetry

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Article available in :
Volume 3, Issue 3, 2026
Page : 41-46
https://doi.org/10.51271/AOR-0054
Article Information
Received : 20 Ağu 2026
Accepted : 21 Eyl 2026
Published : 24 Eyl 2026
Corresponding Author :

Özgür Bülent Timuçin: Department of Opthalmology, Van Training and Research Hospital, Van, Turkiye

[email protected]
Citation : Timuçin ÖB, Evcimen Y. Iso-osmolar 5% mannitol for post-cataract corneal edema: efficacy and tolerability. Arch Ophthalmol Res. 2026;3(3):41-46. doi:10.51271/AOR-0054

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