A prospective comparison of Amvisc and Healon in cataract surgery

A prospective, randomly assigned, double-masked study was designed to compare two solutions of sodium hyaluronate--Amvisc and Healon. All cases were planned extracapsular cataract extractions with posterior chamber intraocular lenses performed by a single surgeon in glaucomatous and nonglaucomatous eyes. Subjective performance of the products were rated in regard to ability to maintain the chamber, coat the intraocular lens, dilate the pupil, separate the leaves of the capsule, and be easily removed. Objective comparisons of intraocular pressure, anterior chamber reaction, and endothelial cell loss were also made. There was no subjective or objective difference between the two products.     

Efficacy of polyacrylamide vs. sodium hyaluronate in cataract surgery

A prospective randomized study was conducted in 137 patients who underwent cataract surgery and implantation of a polymethylmethacrylate intraocular lens with either polyacrylamide (Orcolon) (68 patients) or sodium hyaluronate (Healon) (69 patients) as the viscoelastic material. Both viscoelastics were aspirated at the end of surgery. Patients were examined before surgery and 1 and 14 days after surgery. Endothelial cell counts were obtained before surgery and 3 months after surgery in 34 patients (16 in the polyacrylamide group and 18 in the sodium hyaluronate group). There were no reports of a flat or shallow anterior chamber intraoperatively in either group. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the incidence of corneal edema or iritis on any visit or in endothelial cell loss. Although there was a significant reduction in intraocular pressure across postoperative visits for the overall sample, there was no significant difference in pressure between the polyacrylamide and sodium hyaluronate groups. The results indicate that no untoward effects on corneal edema, endothelial cell count, iritis or intraocular pressure are to be expected when polyacrylamide is used as an aid to cataract surgery.     

Procoagulant effects of intraocular sodium hyaluronate (Healon) after phakic diabetic vitrectomy. A prospective, randomized study

A procoagulant effect was reported previously after injection of 0.50 to 0.75 ml of sodium hyaluronate (Healon) into the vitreous cavity at the end of phakic diabetic vitrectomies. A multicenter, randomized, prospective trial was done to study this effect. In the treatment group the media was clear in 50% of eyes in the immediate postoperative period compared with only 8% in the control group. At 2 to 6 weeks, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The authors conclude that such sodium hyaluronate injection provides clear media in a significant number of eyes in the immediate postoperative period, potentially allowing thorough postoperative evaluation and early retinal photocoagulation if needed.     

Comparison of 2% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and 1% sodium hyaluronate in implant surgery

We conducted a prospective randomized clinical trial of 2% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and 1% sodium hyaluronate (Healon) in routine extracapsular cataract surgery with implantation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens. Of the 84 patients 40 received methylcellulose and 44 received sodium hyaluronate. There was no statistically significant difference in endothelial-cell loss or induced cellular polymegathism between the two groups. The intraocular pressure before and after surgery was similar in the two groups, as was the visual acuity 8 weeks after surgery. The results suggest that 2% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is a safe and effective alternative to 1% sodium hyaluronate in routine implant surgery.     

Effect of 1% sodium hyaluronate (Healon) on a nonregenerating (feline) corneal endothelium

A series of experiments were performed to investigate the effect of 1% sodium hyaluronate (Healon) on the nonregenerating corneal endothelium of the cat. Aqueous humor replacement with 1% sodium hyaluronate resulted in mild, transient elevations of intraocular pressure compared to eyes that were injected with balanced salt solution. Sodium hyaluronate 1% protected the feline endothelium against cell loss incurred by contact with hyaluronate-coated intraocular lenses compared to endothelial contact with lenses that were not coated with sodium hyaluronate. The use of intraoperative 1% sodium hyaluronate, however, did not protect against endothelial cell loss incurred by penetrating keratoplasty or prevent subsequent skin graft-induced corneal homograft rejections. Homograft rejections were milder, however, in some eyes that received grafts coated with 1% sodium hyaluronate. Image analysis of photographs of trypan blue- and alizarin red-stained corneal buttons after trephining, stretching of Descemet's membrane, rubbing against iris-lens preparations, or immediately after penetrating keratoplasty demonstrated that the stretching of the posterior cornea is an important cause of endothelial damage that would not be protected against by a viscoelastic coating.     

Effects of IAL and Healon on postoperative intraocular pressure after cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation

A randomized controlled study was done on 60 patients, divided into three groups, who underwent extracapsular cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect on postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) of IAL left in situ compared with IAL or Healon removed after surgery. The IOP was monitored three, six, 12, and 24 hours and seven days after surgery. In general, there was a similar trend in IOP in the three groups with increasing values starting three hours after surgery and normal values reached around 24 hours. No significant statistical difference was found when IAL was removed compared with Healon removed or IAL left in situ compared with Healon removed. No differences were found in the presence of an inflammatory reaction or its severity among the three groups 24 hours after surgery. We believe that IAL can be used in cataract surgery without removing it at the end of the operation, thus simplifying surgical maneuvers and reducing surgical risks.     

Advantages and disadvantages of intracamerular Na-hyaluronate (Healon) in intraocular lens surgery

The author studied the use of Na-hyaluronate in intraocular lens implantation. Advantages and disadvantages are discussed.     

A new use for sodium hyaluronate (Healon) in penetrating keratoplasty

Sodium hyaluronate (Healon) is injected into the well of a disposable corneal trephine to facilitate earlier protection of the donor endothelium during corneal transplantation.     

Hyaluronidase and sodium hyaluronate in cataract surgery.

The use of sodium hyaluronate in cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation is often followed by a postoperative rise of intraocular pressure. A trial is described in which 10 patients underwent bilateral cataract extraction and Binkhorst intraocular lens implantation with the use of sodium hyaluronate. The enzyme hyaluronidase was instilled into the anterior chamber of the right eye only, to aid removal of sodium hyaluronate, and resulted in a statistically significant lowering of postoperative intraocular pressure in right eyes compared with left. Other uses of the enzyme are discussed.     

Effect of cataract surgery with intraocular lens implant on frequency doubling perimetry

PURPOSE: To study the effect of cataract surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) on frequency doubling perimetry (FDP). METHODS: Patients aged 40 years or above seen at our outpatient clinic with no ocular pathology except for visually significant cataract and visual acuity 6/24 or better were eligible. They underwent FDP before and 4 to 6 weeks after cataract surgery with IOL. RESULTS: Screening test: Mean scores by three different scoring methods were 1.82 (3.21), 2.80 (5.54), 4.18 (9.18) before and 0.22 (0.51), 0.26 (0.63), 0.26 (0.69) after surgery (p = 0.002 0.001, < 0.0001). Threshold test: Mean deviation (MD) and pattern standard deviation (PSD) were -5.23 (3.08) and 5.15 (2.78) before and -2.94 [corrected] (2.49) (p < 0.0001) and 5.21 (1.780) (p = 0.63) after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The screening test should be interpreted cautiously in the presence of cataract. On threshold testing, cataract surgery causes significant decrease in MD but no change in PSD.     

Retrospective comparison of lens implant surgery and cataract surgery in a provincial unit.

Evidence is presented which shows that the extracapsular cataract extraction technique combined with a Sinsky type posterior chamber implant is as safe a procedure as routine intracapsular surgery. Its results as reflected in the patient's satisfaction are superior.     

Methylcellulose instead of Healon in extracapsular surgery with intraocular lens implantation

Methylcellulose 1% was used in the anterior chamber to facilitate posterior chamber lens implantation at the time of extracapsular cataract extraction. In parallel series with similar preoperative endothelial cell counts, 70 eyes implanted under methylcellulose had a mean central endothelial cell loss of 8 +/- 5.3% at 8 to 12 weeks postoperative, whereas 63 eyes implanted under an air bubble lost a mean 25.3 +/- 14.6% (P less than 0.001). No differences in postoperative visual acuity, intraocular pressure, or inflammation were noted. A YAG laser preoperative anterior capsulotomy was used in all cases, and may have contributed to overall preservation of endothelial cells.     

Clinical comparison of Healon5 and Healon in phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation; Randomized multicenter study

PURPOSE: To compare the overall clinical performance during phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, the effect on intraocular pressure (IOP), and the effect on corneal endothelium of Healon5 (sodium hyaluronate 2.3%) and Healon (sodium hyaluronate 1.0%) ophthalmic viscosurgical devices (OVDs). SETTING: Multicenter study. METHODS: In this randomized prospective clinical study, the performance of Healon5 (viscoadaptive; dispersive and cohesive) and Healon (cohesive) during cataract surgery was evaluated in 157 patients, 79 with Healon5 and 78 with Healon. Surgeons evaluated the following on a 5-point scale: retention during phacoemulsification (primary endpoint), ease of injection, anterior chamber maintenance during continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC), facilitation of IOL implantation, and ease of removal from the eye. Masked examiners other than the surgeon performed the following measurements: IOP preoperatively and 5 and 24 hours, 7 days, and 3 months postoperatively; corneal thickness before and 24 hours, 7 days, and 3 months postoperatively; and corneal endothelial cell count preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Intraocular retention during phacoemulsification was assessed as good or very good in 77% in the Healon5 group and 8% in the Healon group; the difference was statistically significant (P<.0001, Wilcoxon rank sum test). The Healon5 group had significantly better scores for anterior chamber maintenance during CCC (P<.0001) and facilitation of IOL implantation (P =.032), and the Healon group had significantly better scores for ease of injection (P<.0001) and ease of removal (P<.0001). There were no statistically significant between-group differences in IOP, corneal endothelial cell count, or corneal thickness. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons rated Healon5 better than Healon in retention during phacoemulsification, anterior chamber maintenance during CCC, and facilitation of IOL implantation. They assessed Healon as easier to inject and remove. There was no difference in safety-related parameters between the 2 OVDs. These findings indicate that Healon5 is effective in cataract surgery.     

Dilute sodium hyaluronate (Healon) in the treatment of ocular surface disorders

The use of dilute (1/10%) sodium hyaluronate (Healon) eyedrops has given definite subjective patient improvement in a variety of ocular surface disorders, especially keratitis sicca. No adverse effects of the sodium hyaluronate drops have been encountered in patients who have used the drops for as long as two years. Masked trials and objective improvement of corneal staining patterns have also confirmed its efficacy.     

Corneal edema and intraocular pressure after cataract surgery: randomized comparison of Healon5 and Amvisc Plus

PURPOSE: To compare the protective effect of Healon5 (sodium hyaluronate 2.3%) and Amvisc Plus (sodium hyaluronate 1.6%) against corneal edema and their association with postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) spikes in patients having phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. SETTING: Ophthalmology department of a general hospital. METHODS: One hundred forty patients were randomly assigned to have surgery with Healon5 (n = 70) or Amvisc Plus (n = 70). One eye of each patient was analyzed. Data collected preoperatively included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and IOP. Central ultrasonic pachymetry was performed in all patients. The same ophthalmologist performed all surgeries. The IOP and central corneal thickness (CCT) were measured 1 and 4 days and 1 month after surgery. The BCVA was also assessed at 1 month. RESULTS: There were no significant preoperative differences between the Healon5 and Amvisc Plus groups in sex, age, ocular pathology, BCVA, IOP, or CCT. Intraoperative variables were similar between groups, but it took significantly longer to remove the Healon5. Postoperatively, there were no differences between groups in the evolution of CCT or of IOP. Intraocular pressure spikes over 30 mm Hg were detected at 1 day in 7 patients in the Healon5 group and 2 patients in the Amvisc Plus group (10.0% versus 2.9%; P = .165). CONCLUSIONS: Both OVDs were beneficial in a wide range of cataract patients. However, the results suggest a tendency toward a higher complication rate with Healon5.     

The cornea in cataract and intraocular lens surgery

Corneal complications following cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation continue to be more unusual because of advances in our surgical techniques. Complications can still occur, however, and can include mechanical or toxic injury of the endothelium, stripped Descemet's membrane, epithelial toxicity and disruption, infectious keratitis, and epithelial ingrowth. Endothelial cell survival after cataract extraction and lens implantation are still major concerns. Healing of the cornea following clear corneal incisions has become more important as this technique is more frequently used, and several studies are looking at the results of clear corneal incisions performed for cataract surgery. Patients with ocular surface disease still require extra lubrication and management of blepharitis to prevent epithelial toxicity at the time of surgery as well as postoperatively. As incisions move back to the cornea from the distant limbus, careful observation for complications involving the cornea will be needed. Still, modern day cataract extraction and lens implantation are extremely gentle on the cornea.