RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 The Effect of Vitrectomy Infusion Solutions on Postoperative Electroretinography and Retina Histology JF BMJ Open Ophthalmology FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP e000004 DO 10.1136/bmjophth-2016-000004 VO 1 IS 1 A1 Hisham AbdEl Dayem A1 Michael Hartzer A1 George Williams A1 Philip Ferrone YR 2017 UL http://bmjophth.bmj.com/content/1/1/e000004.abstract AB Purpose A prospective, randomised, masked study comparing three different intraocular infusion solutions used during vitrectomy on postoperative electroretinography (ERG) and retinal histology of rabbit eyes.Methods, materials and animals Twelve rabbit eyes were used with each group of three intraocular infusion solutions: Lactated Ringers (LR), balanced salt solution (BSS) and balanced salt solution-plus (BSS-Plus).Results At 24 hours postoperatively, the ERG values were 36%, 68% and 75% of the normal values for LR, BSS and BSS-Plus, respectively. At 72 hours postoperatively, the ERG values were 50%, 84% and 100% of the normal values for LR, BSS and BSS-Plus, respectively. At 72 hours postoperatively, 3/12, 10/12 and 12/12 of the vitrectomised eyes had regained normal-value ERGs for LR, BSS, and BSS-Plus eyes, respectively. At 1 week postoperatively, 4/12 and 12/12 of LR and BSS eyes, respectively, had normal ERGs. The number of LR eyes regaining normal ERG values was 4/12, 6/12 and 9/12, measured at 1, 4 and 15 weeks postoperatively, respectively.Retina histology At 15 weeks follow-up, histopathology was performed on several rabbit eyes. Histological examination of LR-irrigated eyes showed 2/7 normal retinas, whereas 5/7 showed changes that ranged from vacuoles in the inner retina to numerous vacuoles in both the outer and inner retina with disruption of the inner nuclear layer. The histology of BSS-infused and BSS-Plus-infused rabbit eyes was normal.Conclusion LR solution, when used during vitrectomy, has a more prolonged negative effect on ERG than BSS and BSS-Plus. Histological changes seen in LR eyes may explain the ERG results.