AIM: To observe the surgical effect, complications and assess the safety of applying anterior chamber injection of sterile air to treat instability of anterior chamber occurred at the end of cataract surgery.

METHODS:The cases with unstable anterior chamber occurred at the end of cataract surgery were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into two groups, group A(31 eyes)received anterior chamber injection of sterile air, group B(27 eyes)underwent anterior chamber injection of balanced salt solution(BSS). The anterior chamber bubbles and the stability of anterior chamber, the influence on corneal endothelial cells, visual acuity, and intraocular pressure(IOP), the presence of other complications such as intraocular inflammation, cystoid macular edema were observed.

RESULTS:There were no statistically significant differences comparing preoperative and postoperative IOP between two groups(P>0.05). In group A, preoperative IOP was 15.29±0.53mmHg and 1d postoperative IOP was 14.58±0.6mHg, with no statistical difference(P>0.05). Preoperative corneal endothelial cell density between two group 2 435.71±194.80cells/mm²vs 2 430.74±191.95cells/mm², postoperative between two groups were 2 400.74±194.00cells/mm² vs 2 398.22±193.36cells/mm² with no statistically significant difference(P>0.05). There was no postoperative shallow anterior chamber and intraocular inflammation in the two groups. The success rate of single operation restoring the stability of anterior chamber in group A was 94%, group B was 33%, the difference had statistical significance(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION:It is safe and effective, simple and quick applying anterior chamber gas injection in the treatment of unstable anterior chamber at the end of cataract surgery.