Clinical Investigation of the Bacterially-Derived Healon5 Ophthalmic Viscosurgical Device (OVD)

This study will include only subjects undergoing bilateral, primary, cataract extraction and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation and who meet all of the study inclusion and exclusion criteria in both eyes. Subjects who meet the inclusion/exclusion criteria and agree to participate will be randomly assigned to receive the investigational OVD in one eye and the currently-available (i.e., commercial) OVD in the fellow eye (control). Thus, a single group of subjects will provide data for both the investigational OVD and the control OVD.

Inclusion criteria

• Minimum 22 years of age
• Cataracts for which extraction and posterior IOL implantation have been planned for both eyes
• Potential for postoperative best corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA) of 20/40 Snellen or better
• Clear intraocular media, other than cataract
• Availability, willingness and sufficient cognitive awareness to comply with examination procedures
• Signed informed consent and HIPAA authorization

Exclusion criteria

• Pupil abnormalities (non-reactive, fixed pupils, or abnormally shaped pupils)
• Recent ocular trauma or ocular surgery that is not resolved/stable or may affect visual outcomes or increase risk to the subject
• Prior corneal refractive (LASIK- laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, LASEK-laser-assisted sub-epithelial keratectomy, RK- radial keratectomy, PRK- photorefractive keratectomy, etc.) or intraocular surgery
• Corneal abnormalities such as stromal, epithelial or endothelial dystrophies that are predicted to cause visual acuity losses to a level worse than 20/40 Snellen during the study
• Subjects with diagnosed degenerative visual disorders (e.g., macular degeneration or other retinal disorders) that are predicted to cause visual acuity losses to a level worse than 20/40 Snellen during the study.
• Conditions associated with increased risk of zonular rupture, including capsular or zonular abnormalities that may lead to IOL decentration or tilt, such as pseudoexfoliation, trauma, or posterior capsule defects
• Use of systemic or ocular medications that may affect vision
• Prior, current, or anticipated use during the course of the 3-month study of tamsulosin or silodosin (e.g., Flomax, Flomaxtra, Rapaflo) that may, in the opinion of the investigator, confound the outcome or increase the risk to the subject (e.g., poor dilation or a lack of adequate iris structure to perform standard cataract surgery)
• Poorly-controlled diabetes
• Acute, chronic, or uncontrolled systemic or ocular disease or illness that, in the opinion of the investigator, would increase the operative risk or confound the outcome(s) of the study (e.g., immunocompromised, connective tissue disease, suspected glaucoma, glaucomatous changes in the fundus or visual field, ocular inflammation, etc.).
• Known steroid responder
• Ocular hypertension of ≥ 20 mmHg, medically-controlled ocular hypertension (regardless of IOP value ), or glaucomatous changes in the optic nerve
• Endothelial cell count (ECC) lower than 1800 cells/mm2 preoperatively (based on the lowest value of the three cell counts as taken by the Konan Specular Microscope)
• Known ocular disease or pathology that may affect visual acuity or that may be expected to require retinal laser treatment or other surgical intervention during the course of the study (macular degeneration, cystoid macular edema, diabetic retinopathy, etc.)
• Patient is pregnant, plans to become pregnant, is lactating or has another condition associated with the fluctuation of hormones that could lead to refractive changes
• Concurrent participation, or participation within 45 days prior to preoperative visit, in any other clinical trial