Earlier this year, Alcon began rolling out 2 new surgical consoles aimed at leveling up cataract and vitreoretinal procedures: The UNITY CS, indicated for use during anterior segment surgery; and the UNITY VCS, indicated for use in both anterior and posterior segment surgery.1
John Berdahl, MD, an ocular surgeon at Vance Thompson Vision in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has used the UNITY CS in hundreds of cataract procedures since its FDA 510(k) approval in late 2024. He observed that the platform provides “meaningful improvements” to cataract surgery for “everyone involved—the patients, the surgeons, and the technicians.”
About the Technology
The UNITY CS is cleared for cataract phacoemulsification and removal only, while the UNITY VCS is cleared for that as well as vitreoretinal surgeries. Plus, with an optional laser, the VCS is also approved for photocoagulation in vitreoretinal and macular procedures; iridotomy; and trabeculoplasty.1
Compared to Alcon’s previous vision systems, UNITY is faster and more efficient, with simpler setup and tear down, thanks to an improved design.1-7 This is due in part to its proprietary Intelligent Fluidics, a real-time pressure- and-flow control system to support greater stability during procedures.1-2 Both devices also feature the fastest vitrectomy probe available, delivering 30,000 cuts per minute, and 4D phacoemulsification, which it calls the “next evolution” of ultrasound cataract removal. Both are designed to achieve more physiologic surgical conditions, the company said.1-7
“I am perhaps most excited about the unique fluidics system,” said Steve Charles, MD, founder of the Charles Retina Institute in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas, and the principal architect of UNITY’s fluidics system. “With precise control of intraocular pressure, flow, and vacuum, the fluidics offer a more stable surgical experience and low intraocular turbulence. In the end, these improvements provide the surgeon with a more efficient procedure so that you’re able to focus more on the patient and on the pathology.”
Dr. Berdahl agreed, adding that the UNITY CS’s ability to maintain stable intraocular pressure during cataract surgery and reduce posterior capsule debris also produces a smoother surgical experience.
“The pieces of the cataract stay at the tip,” he explained. “When you look at the high-definition imaging of the flow…you can see that.”
The UNITY CS and VCS can produce significant reductions in cataract and vitreoretinal procedure times.
“[A reduction of] 2 to 3 minutes is 20-30% faster [than previous devices]. That all should lead to a quicker visual recovery and a more comfortable experience for patients,” said Dr. Berdahl.
“We want the tools that allow us to do our best job and do it efficiently, and these do that,” he added. OM
Disclosures: Drs. Charles and Berdahl are consultants for Alcon and participated in the clinical trials leading to FDA approval of the UNITY systems.
References
1. UNITY™ VCS and CS User Manual.
2. Irannejad A, Tambat S, Abulon DJK. Retropulsion and Mass flow of 27-gauge Vitrectomy Probes: Comparison of Dual-blade/flat-tipped probes and single-blade/beveled probes. 2021. Poster presentation.
3. Alcon Data on File, 2024. [REF-24644]
4. Alcon Data on File, 2024. [REF-24379]
5. Alcon Data on File, 2024. [REF-24615]
6. Alcon Data on File, 2024. [REF-24576]
7. Unity Phaco Handpiece Directions for Use.
8. Alcon Data on File, 2024. [REF-24760]
9. Alcon Data on File, 2024. [REF-25562]