Nucleus drop following phacoemulsification surgery: Incidence, risk factors and clinical outcomes.

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence, risk factors and clinical outcomes in patients with nucleus drop (ND) following phacoemulsification surgery at a tertiary care ophthalmic institute. METHODS: Medical records of patients with ND during phacoemulsification between January'2019 and December'2022 were reviewed retrospectively. Incidence of ND was calculated overall, and according to surgical expertise levels and surgical steps. Associated pre- and intra-operative risk factors were assessed. Clinical outcome parameters [best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and intraocular pressure (IOP)] were compared with respect to timing of PPV (immediate vs early vs delayed), location (sulcus vs scleral fixated-IOL) and timing of IOL placement (primary vs secondary). RESULTS: Among 93,760 phacoemulsifications, ND was noted in 130 patients (0.1%). Significant direct and associated pre-operative risk factors were advanced cataract, glaucoma, posterior polar cataract, and diabetes mellitus. Junior medical consultants had 40 ND (mostly in non-complex cases), whereas senior medical consultants had 90 ND (mostly in complex cases). ND most frequently occurred during emulsification of nuclear fragments. Sulcus placement of IOL during primary surgery yielded significantly better visual outcome compared to secondary procedures, although timing of PPV had insignificant effect. 77.1% had BCVA of 6/12 or better at final follow-up. Timing of IOL implantation, PPV, and type of IOL did not have any significant effect on IOP. CONCLUSIONS: Though the incidence of ND is low, it is a dreaded complication. Accurate pre-operative evaluation, risk stratification, distribution of cases among surgeons based on their surgical expertise, and immediate or early management of ND yields better anatomical and functional outcomes.

Intraocular lens scaffolding technique in hypermature/Morgagnian cataract in manual small-incision cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To describe the surgical technique of intraocular lens (IOL) scaffolding in hypermature/Morgagnian cataract in manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS). SETTING: Charitable section of the hospital through direct availed services at free/subsidized cost. DESIGN: Interventional study. METHODS: 38 eyes of 38 patients operated at the charitable section of the hospital through direct availed services at free/subsidized cost were included in this study. RESULTS: IOL scaffolding in MSICS was executed in 38 patients, of whom 25 patients were diagnosed as hypermature cataract, pseudoexfoliation syndrome with mature cataract in 5 patients, 5 patients had phacolytic glaucoma, and 3 patients had lens-induced uveitis. This technique was successful in 35 of 38 patients and was not successful in 3 patients in whom traditional SICS was performed in 2 patients and retrohaptic iris fixation in 1 patient. CONCLUSIONS: A technique that uses the IOL as a scaffold in hypermature cataract in MSICS that provides a stable barrier by stretching the capsular bag to prevent the crumpling of the bag or whole bag removal after nucleus delivery is described.

Cataract surgery in colobomatous eyes with advanced cataract.

BACKGROUND: Cataract surgeries are challenging in colobomatous eyes as they are associated with features such as microphthalmia, microcornea, zonular deficit, etc. These factors predispose to capsulorhexis extension, posterior capsular rent, zonular dialysis and result in unfavourable visual outcomes. The most critical step of cataract surgery in such cases is the capsulorhexis as the chances of extension are high in the colobomatous area. In presence of pre-existing zonular dehiscence, nucleus management becomes more challenging in advanced cataracts. PURPOSE: To illustrate efficient management of advanced cataract in colobomatous eyes. SYNOPSIS: A 39-year old lady presented with complaints of gradually progressive diminution of vision in both eyes. Examination revealed bilateral nuclear sclerosis grade III-IV with irido-lenticular retinochoroidal coloboma (ILRCC). The patient was scheduled for bilateral cataract surgery after a thorough evaluation. Initially, the left eye was planned for phacoemulsification, in the course of which capsulorhexis extension occurred, leading to nucleus tilt and vitreous disturbance during emulsification. Automated anterior vitrectomy was done and the surgical approach was shifted to manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS) with 3-piece intraocular lens placement in sulcus. The right eye was hence planned for MSICS and a rhexis extension was noted in this eye as well. Comparing the outcome of both the surgeries it was noted that both had capsulorhexis extension, but the management of nucleus and intraocular lens implantation was efficient in case of MSICS than phacoemulsification. Posterior chamber intraocular lens were placed in both eyes and the patient attained good visual outcome. HIGHLIGHTS: MSICS is a better approach to cases of ILRCC with advanced cataract. The capsulo should be tailored according to the site of coloboma such that it should be smaller in the area involving the coloboma and larger away from it. VIDEO LINK: https://youtu.be/d9FC0eavhRs.

Comparison of choroidal thickness in systemic hypertensive subjects with healthy individuals by spectral domain optical coherence tomography.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to compare the choroidal thickness in normal population and hypertensive patients and to assess the possible effect of hypertension on choroidal thickness using Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT). Methods: This was a comparative cross-sectional study. A total of 68 eyes of 34 individuals in the age group of 40-60 years were included in both the hypertensive group and control group. Individuals with refractive error beyond ± 3 D and posterior segment pathology were excluded. The choroidal thickness was measured at the sub-foveal region, 500 µm nasal and 500 µm temporal to the fovea on SD-OCT with enhanced depth imaging (EDI) mode. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), Diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and Mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded in all individuals. Duration of hypertension was also noted in hypertensive individuals. Results: The choroidal thickness at all locations was significantly lower in the hypertensive group (subfoveal, nasal, temporal and mean choroidal thickness 253.24 ± 63.96 µm, 249.35 ± 63.57 µm, 250.01 ± 63.37 µm, 250.87 ± 63.38 µm, respectively) as compared to the control group (subfoveal, nasal, temporal and mean choroidal thickness 301.25 ± 55.79 µm, 298.97 ± 57.07 µm, 299.49 ± 55.06 µm, 299.90 ± 55.50 µm, respectively). The choroidal thickness in the hypertensive group also had a significant negative correlation with the SBP (Spearman correlation coefficient, rho = -0.35, P = 0.003) and the duration of hypertension (rho = -0.25, P = 0.037). Conclusion: The study demonstrated decreased choroidal thickness in systemic hypertensive subjects as compared to age-matched healthy individuals. The choroidal thickness in hypertensive subjects also had a significant but weak negative correlation with SBP and duration of hypertension.

Management of a unique case of post-traumatic posterior giant retinal tear and macular hole-associated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Blunt trauma to the eye can present with protean manifestations involving the anterior and posterior segments of the eye. Giant retinal tear (GRT) following trauma occurs most commonly at the equatorial region or anterior to the equator. GRT posterior to the equator is rare. Herein, we present a case of a 21-year-old male, who presented with sudden diminution of vision in the right eye following blunt-trauma with a cricket ball. Examination revealed a posterior-GRT, full-thickness macular hole, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, and vitreous hemorrhage in the right eye. He was managed with vitrectomy, encircling scleral band, perfluorocarbon liquid-assisted flattening of GRT, internal limiting membrane peeling, and endotamponade. The probable etiopathogenesis of posterior-GRT and various surgical challenges encountered in this case were also described illustratively in this report.

Surgical outcomes of augmented bilateral lateral rectus recession with conjunctival recession in patients of intermittent exotropia.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the surgical outcome of augmented BLR recession with conjunctival recession in cases of IXT. METHOD: A total of 15 patients of the basic type of IXT were included in this prospective study. The patients underwent augmented BLR recession with conjunctival recession and on the basis of postoperative deviation, the outcome was assessed in terms OF orthophoria/success (< or =10 PD exotropia and < or =5 PD esotropia), residual exotropia/undercorrection (>10 PD exotropia), and overcorrection (>5 PD esotropia). RESULTS: Preoperative primary horizontal deviation was 30.80 ± 9.56 PD (16-42 PD) for near (0.3 m) and was 33.93 ± 9.97PD (15-45 PD) for distance (6 m). The mean postoperative primary horizontal deviation was 5.6 ± 1.5 PD (4-8 PD) for distance and 6.73 ± 2.15 PD (4-10 PD) for near at 6 months follow-up. After 12 weeks of surgery, 12 (80%) of the patients were orthophoric, 2 (13.3%) of the patients were overcorrected and 1 (6.7%) of the patient was undercorrected for near and all 15 (100.0%) patients were orthophoric for distance. This alignment was maintained till 6 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Although fornix-based incisions for squint surgery are preferred these days augmented BLR recession with conjunctival recession by limbal-based incision leads to good surgical outcome and prevents undercorrection and recurrence.

Submacular cysticercosis in two cases: Course and outcome.

Ocular manifestations due to cysticercosis may involve the vitreous cavity or subretinal space in the posterior segment of the eye. Management of subretinal cysticercosis is challenging, especially if it involves the submacular region. Removal of submacular cysticercosis (SMC) requires utmost care and competent expertise. In recent times, modern vitreo-retinal equipment has improved the outcome of SMC. On the contrary, untreated SMC run a high risk of spontaneous rupture, liberation of toxin from dying worm, and intense intraocular inflammation threatening vision eventually. In the present report, two cases of SMC were discussed who presented to us within a span of 1 week. We described the course of disease and final outcome in these two patients (one underwent surgical removal while other denied surgery) highlighting the urgent need of cyst removal in such scenarios.