What is ophthalmic sodium hyaluronate and how does it work?
Sodium hyaluronate is an elastoviscous substance present in the aqueous and vitreous humors, which are fluids inside the eyeball. Aqueous humor is a clear fluid that fills the two chambers (anterior and posterior) in the space between the lens and the cornea, and vitreous humor is a transparent gel-like substance that fills the space between the lens and retina.
Sodium hyaluronate is a lubricating substance present in connective tissues. Sodium hyaluronate works as a lubricant in the eye chambers and is also found in skin and synovial fluid in joints. Ophthalmic preparations of sodium hyaluronate are highly purified and dissolved in sodium chloride phosphate buffer solution.
How is ophthalmic sodium hyaluronate used?
Ophthalmic sodium hyaluronate is a sterile solution that is injected into the aqueous or vitreous humor during ophthalmic surgeries. Sodium hyaluronate is injected during ophthalmic surgeries because its viscoelasticity helps:
- Maintain a deep anterior chamber and minimize damage to cornea and surrounding tissues
- Gently separate, hold and maneuver the tissues
- Prevent formation of postoperative flat chamber by pushing back the vitreous face
- Create a clear field of vision and facilitate examination of the retina
- Sodium hyaluronate is used as a surgical aid during ophthalmic surgeries that include:
- Cataract extraction
- Intraocular lens implantation
- Corneal transplant
- Glaucoma infiltration
- Retinal attachment
What are the side effects of ophthalmic sodium hyaluronate?
Side effects of ophthalmic sodium hyaluronate may include the following:
- Increased intraocular pressure (pressure inside the eye)
- Keratitis (inflammation of cornea)
- Cystoid macular edema (thickening of macula, the central portion of the retina)
- Conjunctival hemorrhage (bleeding in the conjunctiva, the clear membrane that lines the eye and inner surface of eyelids)
Information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible side effects, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure these drugs do not cause any harm when you take them along with other medicines. Never stop taking your medication and never change your dose or frequency without consulting your doctor.
What are names of some ophthalmic sodium hyaluronate products?
Generic and brand names of ophthalmic sodium hyaluronate include:
- sodium hyaluronate
- Amvisc
- Amvisc Plus
- Durolane
- Euflexxa
- Gelsyn-3
- Healon
- Healon GV
- Healon5
- Hyalgan
- Supartz
- Triluron
- TriVisc
