Viscoelastics

Viscoelastics

  • Three different types:
    • 1. Dispersive (Viscoat, Ocucoat, Vitrax)
    • 2. Cohesive (Healon, Healon GV)
    • 3. Adaptive (Healon 5)


  • Dispersive (Viscoat, Ocucoat, & Vitrax)
    • looser
    • disperse easily
    • coat tissue well & protect the endothelium
    • retained better in anterior chamber during high level of fluid turbulence
    • capable of partitioning spaces
    • particularly useful in managing complications.
    • lack internal cohesion (vacuumed out in smaller pieces)
    • takes longer to completely remove

  • Cohesive (Healon, Healon GV)
    • greater MW
    • more dense
    • tend to stick together inside the eye
    • maintain A/C, help with capsulorrhexis
    • create & maintain space
    • either a larger amount of OVD is left, or almost none

  • Adaptive (Healon 5)
    • very large molecule
    • changes characteristics depending on how it’s used
    • best to prevent endothelial cell loss (JCATARACT REFRACT SURG-VOL 27, FEB 2001)