Clinical results of phacoemulsification with the use of Healon5 or Viscoat

Purpose: To compare the ophthalmic viscosurgical devices Healon(R)5 (viscoa daptive) and Viscoat(R) (dispersive) regarding their overall clinical perfo rmance during phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens (I OL) implantation as well as their influence on intraocular pressure (IOP). Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. Methods: in this prospective randomized patient- and observer-masked clinic al study, the performance of Healon5 (sodium hyaluronate 2.3%) and Viscoat (sodium hyaluronate 3.0%-chondroitin sulfate 4.0%) was assessed by 3 surgeo ns during cataract surgery in 90 patients. Surgeons used a 5-point scale fo r the subjective assessment of the ease of injection, maintenance capacity during continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis, remaining capacity during phac oemulsification, facilitation of IOL implantation, removal from the eye, tr ansparency, and overall performance throughout surgery. Intraocular pressur e was measured preoperatively and 24 hours and 7 days postoperatively. Best corrected visual acuity was assessed preoperatively and 7 days postoperati vely. 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 c hamber was graded good or very good in 36 patients (82%) in the Healon5 gro up and in 23 (50%) in the Viscoat group (P = .001). There were no statistic ally significant between-group differences in mean IOP preoperatively and 2 4 hours postoperatively. Conclusions: Surgeons graded Healon5 better than Viscoat in overall surgica l performance and retention in the anterior chamber during phacoemulsificat ion. These data support that Healon5 adapts to each step during surgery. (C ) 2001 ASCRS and ESCRS.