Low-Grade Versus Medium-Grade Nuclear Sclerotic Cataract Density Produces Identical Surgical and Visual Outcomes: A Prospective Single-Surgeon Study.

Purpose To determine whether the incidence of major complications and postoperative corrected distance visual acuity are comparable for surgery on low-grade versus medium-grade nuclear sclerotic cataracts. Design This was a prospective, consecutive, single-surgeon, no-exclusion study of 1025 cataract cases with one-month follow-up. Methods Patients were divided into two cohorts according to the nuclear sclerosis grade at presentation, as classified using the Lens Opacities Classification System (LOCS) III. Cohort A, representing low-grade nuclear sclerotic cataracts (grades 1-2), consisted of 739 eyes, while Cohort B, representing medium-grade nuclear sclerotic cataracts (grades 3-6), consisted of 286 eyes. Results There was no significant difference in major intraoperative or postoperative complications (p>0.999) between Cohorts A and B. The mean logMar preoperative corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) in Cohort A was 0.245 as compared with 0.346 in Cohort B (p<0.001). There was no significant difference between cohorts for postoperative CDVA at one day (-0.168 versus -0.118; p=0.070), one week (-0.180 versus -0.147; p=0.405), or one month (-0.185 versus -0.161; p=0.569). Conclusions There was no significant difference in the incidence of operative complications or postoperative CDVA between the cohorts. These findings suggest that, in experienced hands, surgery for medium-grade nuclear sclerotic cataracts is equally effective and safe as compared with that for low-grade nuclear sclerotic cataracts.

Neuroradiological Endovascular Intervention for Diplopia in a Case of Aneurysmal Aberrant Regeneration of the Third Nerve.

Aberrant regeneration of the third nerve occurs as a result of synkinetic 'miswiring' of the third nerve following its injury, such as in third cranial nerve palsy due to tumor, trauma, or aneurysm. The case presented is an elderly woman with new vertical diplopia, which led to a diagnosis of a third cranial nerve palsy, thought to be caused by a 5 mm blister aneurysm of the posterior communicating artery. However, neuro-ophthalmological evaluation diagnosed aberrant regeneration of the third nerve, with the cause of her new vertical diplopia being an ipsilateral fourth nerve palsy. The patient underwent endovascular treatment of her aneurysm using stent-assisted coiling. This procedure was complicated by an episode of air embolism, from which the patient made a good recovery. This patient's presentation demonstrates that the cause of any diplopia must be established, and presents a novel, semi-schematic illustration of aberrant regeneration of the third nerve that should aid clinicians in its recognition.

Materials in the vitreous during cataract surgery: nature and incidence, with two cases of histological confirmation.

BACKGROUND: To identify and classify materials in the vitreous observed during phacoemulsification cataract surgery (phaco). DESIGN: Prospective, consecutive, observational case series at one ophthalmic day surgery in Sydney, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 767 consecutive phaco cases. Cases were excluded if there was posterior capsule rupture or vitreous loss intraoperatively. METHODS: For each patient, age, gender, baseline corrected distance visual acuity, presence of pseudoexfoliation, nuclear sclerosis grade and phacoemulsification ultrasound time were recorded. The relationship between these variables and materials in the vitreous was evaluated with regression analysis. Two patients with materials in the vitreous developed an acute intraoperative rock-hard eye syndrome. In these two patients, pars plana needle aspiration of retrolenticular fluid was performed to re-establish normal intraocular pressure. Histology was undertaken to compare this fluid with known lens material retrieved from the Fluid Management System bags in two unrelated cases. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Presence of materials in the vitreous during phaco. RESULTS: Materials in the vitreous were observed in either Berger's space or the anterior vitreous in 386 eyes (50.3% of cases); the majority was putatively lens material (46.5% of all cases). Pigment and ophthalmic viscoelastic device were seen in the anterior vitreous in 9.8% and 1.7% of cases, respectively. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that higher nuclear sclerosis grade (P = 0.025), male gender (P = 0.003) and greater age (P = 0.016) were predictive of the presence of materials in the vitreous. Histological assessment with light microscopy and birefringence techniques identified the materials in the vitreous as lens material. CONCLUSION: Materials in the vitreous were seen in 50.3% of phaco cases. It has been histologically demonstrated that lens materials can be introduced into the anterior vitreous during phaco.