Correlation of aqueous humor electrolytes with serum electrolytes in cataract patients

PURPOSE: To correlate the aqueous humor electrolytes with serum electrolytes in patients with cataract. METHODS: In this study, 348 eyes of patients undergoing cataract surgery, who had presented between 1(st) January 2019 and 30(th) June 2020, were included. Serum electrolytes were obtained and 0.15 ml of aqueous humor was obtained during surgery using an insulin syringe via the side port incision. Mean and standard deviation was used to analyze all the categorical and continuous data including all the electrolytes levels. Pearson’s correlation of coefficient was used to analyze the comparison between serum and aqueous humor electrolytes. Student T-test was used to compare electrolyte values between the serum and aqueous humor. RESULTS: We observed a significant correlation of the aqueous humor electrolytes with their serum counterparts. The coefficient of correlation is 0.155, 0.44, and 0.405 for Na+, K+, and Cl−, respectively. There is also a significant increase in the aqueous humor electrolytes as compared to the serum levels. CONCLUSION: A significant increase in electrolytes levels in the aqueous humor of cataract patients possibly could have a role in the etiology of cataract.