Materials and Methods: 80 patients who underwent phacoemulsification surgery for cataract were included in the study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups according to whether VEM was used or not during intraocular lens implantation. In group 1 (n=40), the anterior chamber was irrigated with balanced saline solution (BSS) during IOL implantation and in group 2 (n=40), the anterior chamber and capsular bag were completely filled with VEM before IOL implantation and then IOL was implanted. Intraocular pressure (IOP) and corneal thickness were measured and recorded preoperatively and at the 3rd, 6th, 12th and 24th hours after surgery. In addition, the time elapsed during implantation was recorded.

Results: There were no statistically significant differences mean age, gender, preoperative IOP and preoperative central corneal thickness (CCT) between the two groups (p>0.05). In addition, no significant difference was found between CCT and IOP values performed at the 3nd, 6th, 12th and 24th hours postoperatively (p>0.05). The intraocular lens implantation time was significantly shorter in group 1 compared to group 2 (p<0.001). No case in either group experienced posterior capsular rupture or zonular dialysis.

Conclusion: When the traditional method of viscoimplantation was compared with hydroimplantation, no difference was found in early IOP. However, it was determined that the operation time was shortened with the use of hydroimplantation. Keywords : Balanced salt solution, Hydroimplantation, Phacoemulsification, Viscoelastic material, Viscoimplantation