Viscoat(combination of sodium hyaluronate 3% and chondroitin sulfate 4%) versus Visthesia(sodium hyaluronate 1.5% and lidocaine hydrochloride 1% ) during phacoemulsification

Viscoat versus Visthesia during phacoemulsification cataract surgery: corneal and foveal changes.

Article specifications

This prospective, randomized clinical trial was published in 2011 in Bio Med Central ophthalmology journal (IF 2017:1.586) by Greek ophthalmologists. In this article the effects of Viscoat®, a combination of sodium hyaluronate 3% and chondroitin sulfate 4% and Visthesia® a formulation of sodium hyaluronate 1.5% and lidocaine hydrochloride 1% on corneal and foveal changes were compared together. In the study 77 patients randomly divided in 2 groups: In one group use Viscoat was used during the phacoemulsification and in the other one Visthesia.  All patients underwent a complete ophthalmological examination i.e., measurement of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) by means of Snellen charts, intraocular pressure examination by Goldmann tonometry, slit lamp examination, fundus examination, optical coherence tomography, specular microscopy and ultrasound pachymetry preoperatively and at three time points postoperatively (day 3, 15, 28 postoperatively).

Results

Viscoat provides better protection to corneal endothelium in comparison with Visthesia during uneventful phacoemulsification cataract surgery. Visthesia also cause more endothelial cell loss and more Edema in compare with Viscoat. In conclusion this article showed that Viscoat was more safety and more effective than Visthesia.