balance salt solution

A balance salt solution (BSS) is a sterile isotonic aqueous formulation designed to closely mimic the physiological pH and ionic composition of extracellular fluid. It typically contains sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride dihydrate, magnesium chloride hexahydrate, sodium acetate trihydrate, and sodium citrate dihydrate dissolved in water for injection. The primary medical use is as an intraocular irrigating or perfusion fluid during ocular surgeries such as cataract extraction or vitrectomy. In laboratory settings and cell culture applications (e.g., HBSS or EBSS), it maintains osmotic pressure and provides essential inorganic ions to cells while preserving physiological pH. Some formulations may include glucose as an energy source or phenol red as a pH indicator[1][2][3][7]. Mechanistically, these solutions do not act on specific molecular targets but serve to maintain tissue hydration and electrolyte homeostasis during procedures.

Brand names

BSSBSS Plus

Other names

balanced salt solutionbalanced saline solutionophthalmic irrigation solutionHank's Balanced Salt SolutionHBSSEarle's Balanced Salt SolutionEBSS