gms | German Medical Science

Purpose: To evaluate the performance and safety of the blue-colored Viscoelastic Device (OVD) Pe-Ha-Blue 1.7% (Albomed GmbH, Schwarzenbruck, Germany) in cataract surgery.

Materials and methods: Pe-Ha-Blue 1.7% is the combination of sodium hyaluronate solution with the staining agent trypan blue that allows their simultaneous intraocular administration. In our study 24 eyes of 24 patients underwent cataract surgery with intraoperative administration of the Pe-Ha-Blue. All the procedures were performed by the same surgeon (M.D.) in accordance with the guidelines provided by the manufacturer, however with the slight modification for a new indication. We used Pe-Ha-Blue not during the capsulorhexis as recommended by the manufacturer, but prior to the IOL implantation to facilitate the visualization of the blue-colored OVD to avoid problems with OVD residues and postoperative Intraocular Pressure (IOP) elevation.

Results: Postoperative follow-up visits were performed at 1 day, 3 days and 1 month period and included not only thorough slit lamp examination but IOP measurement and Visual Acuity (VA) evaluation. Expected Uncorrected Visual Acuity (UCVA) and Best-corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) was achieved in all cases following the surgery. No IOP elevation was observed during follow-up visits. No additional intervention was required for the removal of the OVD residues. No inflammatory reaction was observed in the eyes during the post-surgical follow-up examinations. There were no clinically significant, device-related side-effects and/or complications observed.

Conclusion: Originally the manufacturer recommends Pe-Ha-Blue to be used in cases of mature cataracts to protect ocular structures during the surgery, create a space and improve the visibility of the capsulorhexis. Although, standard Trypan Blue dye provides significantly more intensive staining of the anterior lens capsule compared to blue-colored OVD, the latter can successfully be used prior to the IOL implantation process facilitating removal of the clearly visible OVD residues by the end of the surgery. Full aspiration of the OVD not only reduces the risk of secondary IOP elevation, but also minimizes the possibility of the IOL rotation, which is particularly important in cases of premium IOLs. Hence, Pe-Ha-Blue can be an advantageous alternative to the clear OVD in terms of visibility in order to avoid any residues of the OVD requiring additional intervention.