Guy Sallet talks us through a new "viscoless" procedure and outlines the advantages of such surgery, which include fewer IOP spikes, shortened surgery time and less microincision blockages.
Ultrasound phacoemulsification with implantation of a foldable intraocular lens (IOL) has become today's method of choice in cataract surgery. The introduction of ophthalmic viscosurgical devices (OVDs) was a significant development and they have since become an important tool in modern surgery. However, given the possible disadvantages of OVDs, a new technique has been developed to perform microincision cataract surgery (MICS) with ultrasound phacoemulsification and implantation of a foldable IOL without the use of any viscoelastics.
Do we need viscoelastics?
Viscoelastics are used to reform and maintain a stable anterior chamber and capsular bag. They are also used to safely perform continuous capsulorhexis and in-the-bag placement of IOLs, protecting the endothelium and enhancing pupil mydriasis.
How can we perform viscoless surgery?