Abbott announced today that it has expanded its Healon® family of ophthalmic viscosurgical devices (OVDs) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of Healon EndoCoat OVD, a device intended for use as a surgical aid in cataract extraction and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.
This clear, viscous, protective gel formula is injected into a patient's eye to protect and coat the eye during surgery, reducing trauma to the inside layer of the cornea and other surrounding tissues.
The surgical delivery system for Healon EndoCoat OVD includes a number of features for increased patient safety and ease of handling for the physician, including a smaller delivery device and improved ergonomics for a smooth and consistent delivery of the formula into the eye.
"A dispersive OVD is highly desirable at the beginning of the cataract removal process to help protect the eye from nuclear particles and ultrasonic energy," said Roger F. Steinert, MD, Irving H. Leopold Professor and Chair, Director, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine. "Healon EndoCoat OVD is ideal for this protective barrier. It has outstanding clarity and does not require refrigeration, which reduces surgicenter storage costs and improves ease of use compared to a cold syringe."