Administration of multiple viscoelastic solutions with a multi-compartment syringe

A system for performing ophthalmic viscosurgery, the system comprising:

• a multi-compartment syringe comprising:
• an elongated, tubular syringe barrel with a proximal end and a distal end;
• a hollow cannula extending from the distal end of the syringe barrel, the cannula being in flowable communication with the syringe barrel, the cannula having a sharp, proximal end and a blunt, distal end;
• a first interior compartment adjacent to the distal end of the syringe barrel, and in flowable communication with the cannula;
• a second interior compartment adjacent to the proximal end of the syringe barrel, the first and second compartments being separated by a dividing member extending across the barrel;
• and
• a plunger coupled to the proximal end of the syringe barrel, the plunger being configured such that, upon activation, the dividing member is pierced, bringing the second compartment into flowable communication with the cannula;
• a first bubble-free, tacky hyaluronic acid salt solution, having a concentration of hyaluronic acid salt of 20-70 mg/mL and a molecular weight of hyaluronic acid salt of 50,000-1,000,000 daltons;
• and
• a second bubble-free, non-tacky hyaluronic acid salt solution, having a concentration of hyaluronic acid salt of 10-20 mg/mL and a molecular weight of hyaluronic acid salt of greater than 1,000,000 daltons.

A method of performing ophthalmic viscosurgery on an eye having a cornea, a corneal endothelium, an anterior chamber, a lens capsular bag, a lens and a posterior chamber, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a dispensing device containing first and second viscoelastic solutions, wherein the volume of the first solution is less than the volume of the anterior chamber of the eye;
• piercing the cornea;
• applying the first viscoelastic solution to the corneal endothelium;
• introducing a first portion of the second viscoelastic solution into the anterior chamber of the eye;
• performing a cataract extraction;
• introducing a second portion of the second viscoelastic solution into the lens capsular bag;
• and
• implanting a new lens.

A method of performing ophthalmic viscosurgery on an eye having a cornea, a corneal endothelium, an anterior chamber, a lens capsular bag, a lens and a posterior chamber, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a multi-compartment syringe containing first and second viscoelastic solutions in separate compartments, wherein the volume of the first solution is less than the volume of the anterior chamber of the eye, the syringe having a tubular barrel with a proximal end and a distal end, a hollow cannula in flowable communication with the syringe extending from the distal end of the syringe barrel, a first interior compartment adjacent to the distal end of the barrel, a second interior compartment adjacent to the proximal end of the barrel, the first and second compartments being separated by a dividing member extending across the barrel, and a plunger coupled to the proximal end of the syringe barrel, the plunger being configured such that, upon activation, the second compartment is brought into flowable communication with the cannula;
• piercing the cornea;
• applying the first viscoelastic solution to the corneal endothelium;
• introducing a first portion of the second viscoelastic solution into the anterior chamber of the eye;
• performing a cataract extraction;
• introducing a second portion of the second viscoelastic solution into the lens capsular bag;
• and
• implanting a new lens.