Anika/Staar Staarvisc II
This article was originally published in The Gray Sheet
Executive Summary
Sodium hyaluronate viscoelastic device gains FDA approval for use as an ophthalmic surgical aid via premarket approval application, announced April 27. The clear, viscous, injectable substance is used to protect delicate tissues inside the eye during ophthalmic surgeries like cataract removal and intraocular lens implantation. Staar Surgical has licensed the right to sell Staarvisc II from manufacturer Anika Therapeutics, and will offer it as part of a complete package for physicians to use for cataract procedures. Staar's original Staarvisc was approved by FDA in July 1999 (1"The Gray Sheet" July 12, 1999, p. 10)