Clinical results of phacoemulsification with the use of Healon5 or Viscoat

Clinical results of phacoemulsification with the use of Healon5 or Viscoat (ophthalmic viscosurgical devices). A Randomize clinical study.

Article specifications

This clinical trial was published in 2001 in journal of cataract and refractive surgery (IF 2001:2.72) by Germen surgeons. In this prospective randomized patient- and observer-masked clinical study, the performance of Healon5 (sodium hyaluronate 2.3%) and Viscoat (sodium hyaluronate 3.0%–chondroitin sulfate 4.0%) was assessed by 3 surgeons during cataract surgery in 90 patients of either sex who were at least 40 years old and required cataract surgery were included 44 in the Healon5 group and 46 in the Viscoat group, The mean patient age was 72 years in both groups. Intraocular pressure was measured preoperatively and 24 hours and 7 days postoperatively. The surgeons subjectively assessed the clinical performance (efficacy) during surgery of Healon5 and Viscoat using 7 criteria: ease of injection; maintenance capacity during continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC); remaining capacity during phacoemulsification; facilitation of IOL implantation; removal of the OVD from the eye at the end of surgery; transparency; overall performance throughout surgery. Best corrected visual acuity was assessed preoperatively and 7 days postoperatively.

 

Results

Surgeons graded Healon5 better than Viscoat in overall surgical performance and retention in the anterior chamber during phacoemulsification. These data support that Healon5 adapts to each step during surgery.

Intraoperative product performance was assessed as good or very good in 34 of 44 patients (77%) in the Healon5 group and in 16 of 46 patients (35%) in the Viscoat group (p< .001). Retention in the anterior chamber was graded good or very good in 36 patients (82%) in the Healon5 group and in 23 (50%) in the Viscoat group (P = .001). There were no statistically significant between-group differences in mean IOP preoperatively and 24 hours postoperatively.