Disposable cannulas are essential single-use instruments in eye surgery, designed for precision, sterility, and safety. Below are their primary applications in ophthalmic procedures:
1. Anterior Segment Surgery (Cataract & Cornea)
A. Cataract Surgery (Phacoemulsification & Manual SICS)
- Viscoelastic Injection/Removal
- 27G–30G cannulas (e.g., Viscoelastic cannulas) to inject OVDs (Healon, Viscoat) into the anterior chamber.
- Irrigation/Aspiration (I/A) cannulas for OVD removal post-IOL implantation.
- Hydrodissection & Hydrodelineation
- Blunt-tip cannulas (e.g., Ziegler, Rycroft) separate the lens nucleus from the cortex.
- Side-Port Entry
- Microcannulas (25G–27G) for balanced salt solution (BSS) infusion.
B. Corneal Surgery (Transplant, Refractive)
- DSAEK/DMEK (Endothelial Keratoplasty)
- Air/fluid injection cannulas (e.g., Fogla, Price-Sinskey) for graft positioning.
- PRK/LASIK
- Irrigation cannulas for corneal hydration.
2. Glaucoma Surgery
- Trabeculectomy & Tube Shunts
- Blunt cannulas (e.g., 27G anterior chamber maintainer) for BSS infusion.
- Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)
- Microcannulas (e.g., iStent injector, Kahook Dual Blade) for stent placement.
3. Vitreoretinal Surgery
- Subconjunctival/Intravitreal Injections
- 30G–32G cannulas for anti-VEGF (Lucentis, Eylea) or steroid injections.
- Vitrectomy Fluidics
- 20G–27G infusion cannulas maintain intraocular pressure (IOP) during surgery.
4. Ophthalmic Diagnostics & Therapeutics
- Anterior Chamber Paracentesis
- 30G cannulas for diagnostic aqueous tap (infectious uveitis workup).
- Punctal Plugs Insertion
- Cannula-delivered plugs for dry eye management.
Types of Disposable Cannulas & Their Uses
| Cannula Type | Common Uses | Gauge (Size) | Tip Design |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viscoelastic Cannula | OVD injection | 27G–30G | Blunt, curved |
| I/A Cannula | Cortex removal | 20G–23G | Aspiration port |
| Hydrodissection Cannula | Lens separation | 25G–27G | Blunt, rounded |
| Air/fluid Injection Cannula | DMEK/DSAEK | 30G–32G | Fine tapered |
| Anterior Chamber Maintainer | Glaucoma surgery | 20G–27G | Luer lock |
Advantages of Disposable Cannulas
✔ Sterility – Eliminates infection risk from reprocessing.
✔ Precision – Ultra-thin tips (30G+) minimize tissue trauma.
✔ Cost-Effective – No maintenance/sterilization costs.
✔ Reduced Clogging – Single-use ensures optimal flow.
Conclusion
Disposable cannulas are indispensable in modern ophthalmic surgery, ensuring safety, efficiency, and precision across cataract, glaucoma, corneal, and retinal procedures.
Future Trends:
- Smart cannulas with pressure sensors.
- Combined drug-delivery cannulas (e.g., sustained-release anti-VEGF).
Would you like details on specific brands (e.g., Alcon, Bausch + Lomb, ASICO) or cannula selection guidelines? Let me know!