The aim of this study was to compare the effect of sodium chloride. 0.5 percent and methyl cellulose 2.5 percent in the treatment of corneal edema after cataract surgery by the method of phacoemulsification.

In a clinical trial study, 70 eyes underwent phacoemulsification surgery that they had corneal edema were randomly divided in two groups of 35. Sodium chloride 5 percent drop in the first group and methyl cellulose 2.5 drop in second group were administered every three hours and corneal thickness was measured in the before surgery and 1,4,8,15 and 30 days after surgery and compared in the two groups.

According to our study no statistically difference between the two groups in decrease of corneal edema but speed of decreasing of edema in methyl cellulose was faster, so in 4th day after surgery percent of edema decrease in sodium chloride was 5 percent but in methyl cellulose group was 12.19 percent and the difference between the two group was significant (P<0.001).

Using of methyl cellulose 2.5 percent in treatment of corneal edema after cataract surgery with phaco can decrease edema in shorter time than sodium chloride 5 percent. So we recommended to using of methyl cellulose except contraindicated cases.