Use of collagen shields in cataract surgery

• Published in: Journal of cataract and refractive surgery Vol. 20; no. 2; p. 150
• Main Authors: Haaskjold, E, Ohrström, A, Uusitalo, R J, Krootila, K, Sandvig, K U, Sönne, H, Mahlberg, K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-03-1994
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anti-Bacterial Agents - administration & dosage; Biological Dressings; Cataract Extraction; Collagen; Drug Delivery Systems; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Female; Glucocorticoids - administration & dosage; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pain, Postoperative - prevention & control; Prospective Studies
• ISSN: 0886-3350
• DOI: 10.1016/S0886-3350(13)80155-1

A randomized, prospective, multicenter study evaluated the efficacy and safety of using collagen shields to deliver drugs after cataract surgery. Collagen shields saturated with an antibiotic and a steroid were placed in 90 eyes postoperatively. A control group of 93 eyes received the same drugs through a peribulbar/retrobulbar injection. One day after surgery, the shield group had significantly less corneal edema, conjunctival hemorrhaging, and postoperative pain and fewer corneal opacities. All symptoms except the conjunctival hemorrhaging disappeared by day seven. Our study suggests that using collagen shields for drug delivery after cataract surgery decreases tissue damage and increases patient comfort without adverse side effects.