Pain perceptions during cataract surgery

Article

A study comparing pain perception during cataract surgery with and without the use of lidocaine.

Key Points

In my view intraoperative OVDs are of importance by creating space (e.g. sections of the anterior chamber, sections of the capsular bag) and by protecting the corneal endothelium. They offer additional protection, as they also save cells from damage incurred by friction caused by surgical instruments. Furthermore, intraoperative trauma due to irrigation/aspiration flow or swirling fragments of the lens nucleus in the anterior chamber is minimized. In modern cataract surgery they are used as a coating agent and for protection of the intraocular lens (IOL) during injection and implantation. There are currently numerous OVDs commercially available.

So how do you choose your OVD?

The property of a specific viscoelastic is defined by either its ability to hold together and to move as one cohesive mass or, on the contrary, by its ability, despite possible turbulences, to remain dispersive in the anterior chamber.

The ophthalmic surgeon can choose between numerous viscoelastics: OVDs based on hyaluronic acid (e.g. Healon, Amvisc Plus, Provisc), methyl cellulose (Adatocel) and chondroitin sulfate-hyaluronic acid combinations (Viscoat).

Compared to hyaluronates, methyl cellulose-containing OVDs adhere generally better to the endothelium, but are more difficult to remove, for example, by suction. Compared to hyaluronates, methyl cellulose-containing OVDs adhere generally better to the endothelium, but are more difficult to remove, for example, by suction.

Our study

The aim of our study was to prospectively evaluate pain perception during cataract surgery under topical anaesthesia and intracameral use of a lidocaine loaded ophthalmic viscoelastic device or the same OVD without lidocaine. Further evaluation (safety study) includes corneal endothelial cell count as a safety parameter.

Related Videos
Ana Neves, head of global marketing for ZEISS Meditec Ophthalmology
Kasperi Kankare at the iCare booth at ESCRS
Scott D Barnes, MD, CMO of STAAR Surgical
Tomislav Bucalic, head of marketing at Geuder, and David Geuder, member of the executive board and CIO
Thomas Bosshard stands at the Oertli Instruments booth at the ESCRS meeting
Eva Kim, MD, speaks about her presentation on ICL versus CLE at the Women in Ophthalmology Summer Symposium 2023 in Marco Island, Florida.
Trukera Medical rebranding ushers in new era of expansion into cornea market
© 2023 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.