In the world of eye surgery, a special type of fluid is widely used yet often overlooked. These are Ophthalmic Viscosurgical Devices (OVDs), or ophthalmic viscoelastics. These clear, gel-like materials play a vital role during surgery, helping to maintain the shape and volume of the anterior chamber of the eye while protecting the inner eye tissue from damage. As the hidden heroes of surgery, the use of OVDs in ophthalmic surgery is becoming more and more common, ensuring the success of the operation and the safety of the patient.
"The use of OVDs is the cornerstone of ophthalmic surgery, and has invisibly provided protection for the vision health of countless patients."
OVDs are widely used in various types of ophthalmic surgeries, including cataract surgery, corneal surgery, glaucoma treatment, and vitreoretinal surgery. These viscoelastics are introduced into the eye via a syringe at the beginning of surgery and are aspirated out at the end of surgery. Not only do they protect the corneal endothelium, they also prevent damage to inner eye structures during surgery.
"The use of OVDs not only improves surgical precision, but also minimizes damage to the normal structure of the eye during surgery."
An ideal OVD should be easy to insert, not flow during surgery, and not hinder intraocular pressure. Additionally, it should be easy to remove after the procedure is over. The physical properties of OVDs, such as viscoelasticity and viscosity, directly affect their clinical application effects.
"A good OVD should give the surgeon adequate vision during surgery while not hindering instrument manipulation."
OVDs are typically sterile aqueous saline solutions containing one or more viscoelastic compounds and a buffering agent that maintains the pH between 7 and 7.5. The most common ingredients include hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.
History of OVDsSince 1934, the use of hyaluronic acid has undergone many evolutions, initially being used as an intraocular replacement and officially introduced into ophthalmic surgery in 1972. With the advancement of technology, various forms of OVD have been introduced, enriching the options for ophthalmic surgery.
"The history of OVDs is a history of technological progress, demonstrating the medical community's unremitting efforts to improve the success rate of surgery."
With the advancement of science and technology and the deepening of medical research, the future of OVDs is still worth looking forward to. The exploration and improvement of more new materials will further enhance its efficiency and safety in clinical application. OVDs have not only changed the face of ophthalmic surgery, but also improved the quality of life of patients.
In future eye surgeries, how will OVDs continue to play an important role and help more people regain clear vision?