Comparison of the effect of Viscoat and DuoVisc on postoperative intraocular pressure after small-incision cataract surgery.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of Viscoat (sodium chondroitin sulfate 4%-sodium hyaluronate 3%) and DuoVisc (Viscoat and Provisc [sodium hyaluronate 1%]) on postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) after bilateral small-incision cataract surgery.

SETTING

Department of Ophthalmology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

METHODS

This prospective randomized study comprised 60 eyes of 30 consecutive patients with age-related cataract in both eyes. Each patient's eyes were randomly assigned to receive Viscoat or DuoVisc during cataract surgery. DuoVisc is a packet containing 2 ophthalmic viscosurgical devices (OVDs): the dispersive Viscoat, which was used for intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. In the Viscoat group, the Viscoat was used during the entire surgery. The intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured preoperatively as well as 1, 6, and 20 to 24 hours postoperatively.

RESULTS

One and 6 hours postoperatively, the mean IOP was significantly higher in the Viscoat group than in the DuoVisc group (25.8 mm Hg and 20.5 mm Hg, respectively, at 1 hour and 24.7 mm Hg and 21.1 mm Hg, respectively, at 6 hours) (P<.05). At 20 to 24 hours, the mean IOP was not statistically significantly different between the 2 groups. Intraocular pressure spikes to 30 mm Hg or higher occurred in 4 eyes in the DuoVisc group and 11 eyes in the Viscoat group (P<.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Viscoat caused significantly higher IOP increases and significantly more IOP spikes than DuoVisc in the early postoperative period. Therefore, if Viscoat is used during cataract surgery, an additional cohesive OVD should be used for IOL implantation.