Safety, efficacy, and intraoperative characteristics of DisCoVisc and Healon ophthalmic viscosurgical devices for cataract surgery

Abstract

PurposeTo evaluate the safety and efficacy of DisCoVisc ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD, Alcon Laboratories, Inc) with respect to a comparator, Healon OVD (Advanced Medical Optics, Inc).Patients and methodsIn this prospective study, patients with cataracts were randomized to an OVD, and then received phacoemulsification and injection of an intraocular lens. After each surgery, unmasked investigators completed subjective questionnaires about OVD characteristics during each stage of the procedure. Masked technicians evaluated objective safety parameters of intraocular pressure (IOP) and endothelial cell density, with 90 days of follow-up.ResultsThe DisCoVisc OVD group (128 eyes) and the Healon OVD group (121 eyes) had statistically similar outcomes for IOP and for endothelial cell loss. Subjectively assessed viscosity was statistically different (P < 0.0001), with Healon OVD most often rated “cohesive” and DisCoVisc OVD most often rated “both dispersive and cohesive”. Workspace maintenance differed between groups (P < 0.0001), with workspace most frequently rated “full chamber maintained” when using DisCoVisc OVD and most frequently rated “workspace maintained” when using Healon OVD. “Flat” or “shallow” workspace ratings occurred only in the Healon OVD group.ConclusionDisCoVisc OVD had both cohesive and dispersive properties, and was safe and effective for every stage of cataract surgery.

Advances in cataract surgery

“…Another recent study with intraindividual comparisons of 78 eyes from 39 patients found significantly lower mean ECL with viscous-dispersive use (1.0%) than with very low viscosity dispersive use (3.5%) at 6 months after phacoemulsification [45]. Despite these results, studies comparing mean ECL of patients who received viscous-dispersive OVDs versus those who received soft-shell technique (N ¼ 50 eyes, viscous-dispersive: 5%; N ¼ 50 eyes, soft-shell technique: 4.11%) and cohesive OVDs (N ¼ 123 eyes, viscous dispersive: 6.4%; N ¼ 116 eyes, cohesive: 8.8%) during phacoemulsification showed no significant difference in ECL between groups at 3 months follow-up [46,47]. Another more recently developed device combines a cohesive OVD and ancillary lidocaine.…”

Comparison of corneal endothelial cell count and intraocular pressure in pure-dispersive and dispersive-cohesive viscoelastic protection in phacoemulsification surgery

“…Protection could be related to endothelium-coating properties of the OVDs. Modi et al 18 reported their two studies using animal eyes that a thin uniform layer of DisCoVisc OVD remained as a lining on the inner cornea after phacoemulsification and removal of OVD. It was suggested that this coating was indicative of the protective effects of the DisCoVisc OVD.…”

Safety of Polyacrylamide 1.5% Left in Anterior Chamber in Combined Phacoemulsification and Pars Plana Vitrectomy Surgery

“…22 The constituents provide not only physical protection, but also chemical protection. 22 Medilon contains polyacrylamide 1.5%.…”

“…22 The constituents provide not only physical protection, but also chemical protection. 22 Medilon contains polyacrylamide 1.5%. Polyacrylamide is known as highly biocompatible and being used in the production of soft contact lenses and as viscoelastic agent in ophthalmic surgeries.…”