Clinical results of phacoemulsification with the use of Healon5 or Viscoat.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the ophthalmic viscosurgical devices Healon5 (viscoadaptive) and Viscoat (dispersive) regarding their overall clinical performance during phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation as well as their influence on intraocular pressure (IOP).


METHODS
Department of Ophthalmology, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.


METHODS
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. Surgeons used a 5-point scale for the subjective assessment of the ease of injection, maintenance capacity during continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis, remaining capacity during phacoemulsification, facilitation of IOL implantation, removal from the eye, transparency, and overall performance throughout surgery. Intraocular pressure was measured preoperatively and 24 hours and 7 days postoperatively. Best corrected visual acuity was assessed preoperatively and 7 days postoperatively.


RESULTS
Overall 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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Tetz
M R
MR
Department of Ophthalmology Humboldt University Berlin, Campus Virchow Klinikum, Berlin, Germany.
Holzer
M P
MP
Lundberg
K
K
Auffarth
G U
GU
Burk
R O
RO
Kruse
F E
FE
D000368:Aged; D000867:Anterior Chamber / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D002807:Chondroitin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D014792:Visual Acuity
D004338:Drug Combinations; C501944:chondroitin sulfate, sodium hyaluronate drug combination; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D002807:Chondroitin; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates