Clear, viscous, and elastic fluids are used intraocularly in ophthalmic surgery to protect and coat cell layers and to manipulate eye tissue and structures. MDR Group, Inc., is developing a system of synthetic, clear viscoelastic ophthalmic surgical fluids with varied rheologic properties. The fluids are designed for specific uses during the several steps in anterior segment surgical procedures. The system is composed of low-, medium-, and high-viscosity fluids. The low-viscosity fluid is used to coat the intraocular lens, surgical hand instruments, and topically on the cornea for prolonged corneal hydration. The medium-viscosity fluid is used to coat the endothelial cell layer, to manipulate tissue, and to maintain the shape of the anterior chamber during surgery. The high-viscosity fluid is used to provide superior cell coating and tissue protection during the phacoemulsification of the lens nucleus in cataract surgery. The fluids are complementary and are used together during the procedure.
Anticipated Results:In addition to the commercial application for ophthalmic surgery, these fluids may be useful in degenerative joint disease and in postsurgical adhesion prevention.National Eye Institute (NEI)
