PROSPECTIVE COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF BIOVISC(R) AND HEALONID(R) ON ENDOTHELIAL-CELL LOSS AND INTRAOCULAR-PRESSURE IN POSTCATARACT SURGERY

Purpose The goal of this trial was to evaluate the efficacy (protectiv e action on corneal endothelium and ability to facilitate the procedur e) as well as safety (effect on intraocular pressure and inflammation) of Biovisc(R) (new viscoelastic agent made of 1% sodium hyaluronate p roduced by bacterial fermentation) versus Healonid(R)) postcataract su rgery (manual or phacoemulsification). Methods 106 patients, 45 males and 61 females (31-94 years) were included in this prospective randomi zed multicentre trial and followed up for three months.Specular micros copy and intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement were the main evaluati on criteria. Results At D 90, no significant difference was observed b etween the two viscoelastic agents on the mean endothelial cell loss ( group Viovis(R):- 8.6%; group Healonid(R):- 6%) as well as on IOP (ear ly peaks were transitory and resolutive). Conclusion Biovisc(R) and He alonid(R) were similar in terms of efficacy and tolerance.