Alcon Presents New Data at ESCRS Showing OR Efficiency with Unity Vitreoretinal Cataract System
Alcon announced results from two multicenter time-and-motion studies demonstrating workflow efficiencies with the Unity Vitreoretinal Cataract System (VCS) compared with the Constellation Vision System and the Centurion Vision System with Active Sentry [1–6]. Findings were shared at the Euretina Congress oin Paris [1], The Retina Society’s 58th Annual Scientific Meeting in Chicago[3], and the ESCRS Congress in Copenhagen [2].
A prospective, observational, controlled, multi-site study (n=179 surgical cases) directly compared Unity VCS (n = 92) with the Constellation Vision System (n=87) for 25-gauge vitrectomy [1,3]. Using objective, videography-based measurements, investigators assessed console set-up, intraoperative time, and tear-down.
Key Findings:
16% overall workflow efficiency gain with Unity VCS [1]
33% faster console set-up and 38% faster tear-down [1]
“Unity VCS’s streamlined platform and integrated controls result in clearly measurable time savings,” said lead investigator John Kitchens, MD. “These efficiencies are critical for managing OR throughput and maintaining high standards of care across demanding surgical schedules.” [3]
A second observational, pre–post, multi-site analysis evaluated cataract surgery turnover (n=303 patients), comparing Unity VCS (with either Intelligent Sentry or Active Sentry handpiece; (n=142) to the Centurion Vision System with Active Sentry (n=161). [2]
Key Findings:
6% reduction in cataract surgery turnover time [2]
35% reduction in total energy into the eye and 8% decrease in ultrasound time [2]
Unity VCS is available in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Europe, India, Japan, and the United States.
References
Kitchens JW, et al. Time and Motion Analysis of the Unity® Vitreoretinal Cataract System vs. Constellation® Vision System. Presented at the 25th Euretina Congress; Paris, France; September 4–7, 2024.
Woodard L, et al. Comparative Efficiency of Unity® VCS vs. Centurion® Vision System with Active Sentry® in Cataract Surgery. Presented at the 43rd Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS); Copenhagen, Denmark; September 12–15, 2024.
Kitchens JW, et al. Additional multicenter prospective observational vitreoretinal surgery time-and-motion data. The Retina Society 58th Annual Scientific Meeting; Chicago, IL; September 10–13, 2024.
Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Prevalence of Cataracts Worldwide 1990–2021.
Wong WL, et al. Global Prevalence of Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Projections to 2040. Lancet Glob Health. 2014;2(2):e106–e116.
Resnikoff S, et al. Global shortage of ophthalmologists: projections and implications. Ophthalmology. 2020;127(5):e95–e96.