Examination of phacoemulsification tips after different numbers of cataract surgeries.

To compare unused phacoemulsification tips and those used different times with different techniques of cataract surgery (divide and conquer and chop), in vivo phacoemulsifications were performed with tips of different numbers of operation. These were compared with the same number of sterilized-only and unused tips with the help of an atomic force microscope. Comparison of roughness values (Sa, Sq), geometric and measurable flange length and surface was also performed (profile length %, area %). The differences between the parameters that can be measured during surgery (average ultrasound percentage, US ave %, Average Phaco Time, APT) were also analyzed. We found significant correlations between age and lens hardness (p = 0.0045), area % and APT (p = 0.03), between area % and US ave% (p = 0.03) and also between the two surgical techniques in terms of area% (p = 0.04) and US ave % (p < 0.01). Roughness increased with the number of uses. An increase in profile length% can be observed up to the twentieth operation. This can result from scratches and microscopic damages and also from abrasion and possible material additions on the surface of the needles. The divide and conquer technique causes less microscopic damage to the surface, and smaller average US energy is required during surgery.

Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer Thickness Change After CO2 Laser-Assisted Deep Sclerectomy Surgery.

PURPOSE: The goal of our study was to investigate changes in intraocular pressure (IOP), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (RNFLT) after CO2 laser-assisted deep sclerectomy (CLASS). METHODS: We carried out uncomplicated CLASS surgeries and a 12-month follow-up on 22 open-angle glaucomatous (OAG) eyes of 22 patients. IOP, BCVA, and RNFLT with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT) were recorded before and 1, 3, 6, 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 68.1 years. IOP decreased from preoperative 28.45±5.99 SD mmHg (mean±standard deviation) to 15.09±2.40 mmHg (p=0.00039) at 12 months after surgery. BCVA-change from preoperative 0.34±0.38 SD (LogMAR) to 0.37±0.41 SD (LogMAR) was not significant (p=0.2456). RNFLT-change from preoperative 60.50±18.15µm to 59.63±17.52 µm at 12 months postoperatively was not significant (p=0.056). Qualified success rate of CLASS surgery was 72.7%, whereas complete success rate was 64% at 1 year postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Successful CLASS surgery efficiently reduced IOP. At postoperative 12 months, RNFLT and BCVA were not reduced significantly. There was no significant glaucomatous progression after surgery encountered in respect of investigated parameters.