Acute calcific band keratopathy: case report and literature review.

UNLABELLED: An 86-year-old patient developed a significant intraocular inflammatory reaction after having phacoemulsification. Topical therapy did not eliminate the inflammation, and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) was injected into the anterior chamber. A white corneal plaque appeared in the previously clear cornea within days of the injection. The lesion was diagnosed as calcific band keratopathy and successfully treated with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid chelation. Electron microscopy and elemental analysis of a corneal scraping from the lesion established its composition to be mainly calcium and phosphate, validating the diagnosis. This is the seventh reported case of rapid formation of calcific band keratopathy after tPA injection. The pathogenesis of this rare complication involves multiple factors, including alkalinization of the intraocular pH, increased phosphate concentration, and endothelial dysfunction. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Efficacy and tolerability of a combined moxifloxacin/dexamethasone formulation for topical prophylaxis and reduction of inflammation in phacoemulsification: a comparative, double masked clinical trial.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy and safety of a combined 0.5% moxifloxacin and 0.1% dexamethasone formulation (Vigadexa) versus conventional dosing with 0.5% concomitant moxifloxacin (Vigamox) and 0.1% dexamethasone (Maxidex) for the prevention of infection and control of inflammation after cataract surgery. SETTING: The ophthalmology clinic and outpatient surgery suite of a public hospital in Brazil. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, double-masked, parallel-group study of 139 patients, all of which underwent phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. After random assignment, 64 eyes received the combination of topical 0.5% moxifloxacin/0.1% dexamethasone drop and 62 eyes received 0.5% moxifloxacin and 0.1% dexamethasone as separate solutions four times a day for 15 days. Baseline and postoperative assessments were made on surgery days -2, 1, 3, 8, and 15. Limitations of this study included its small size and relatively short duration of follow-up. RESULTS: There was no sign of intraocular infection at any time and only minimal inflammation beyond day 3. Physicians rated bacterial infection to be absent in both groups on days 1, 3, 8 and 15. Ninety-seven percent of patients in each group had < or = 5 cells by day 15. Objective and subjective parameters were essentially the same in both treatment groups (p > 0.05). One patient in the conventional therapy group developed viral conjunctivitis unrelated to the surgery. CONCLUSION: Treatment with the combined moxiflox acin/dexamethasone eye drops was as effective as conventional treatment in preventing infection and controlling inflammation after phacoemulsification and IOL implantation.

Topical plus subconjunctival anaesthesia: foldable intraocular lens implantation in eyes without capsule support through a self-sealing incision.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of topical plus subconjunctival anaesthesia for secondary implantation of foldable intraocular lens (IOL) (Ophtec PC 425Y) in eyes without capsule support through a self-sealing incision. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 22 patients (22 eyes) who received topical plus subconjunctival anaesthesia for scleral fixation of a foldable IOL through small incision. The scleral incision technique was used for IOL scleral fixation. Twelve eyes had traumatic cataract, seven had postphacoemulsification complications and three were aphakic. We studied visual outcome, intraoperative complications and perioperative pain. Autorefractometry and keratometry measurements and central endothelial cell counts were evaluated 1 day preoperatively and 4 months postoperatively. The level of intraoperative pain was scored on a scale of 1-10, where 1 = no pain and 10 = severe pain. RESULTS: Nineteen patients (86%) tolerated the procedure well, giving pain scores of 1-3, and none required supplemental anaesthesia. The mean age of the patients was 60 years. The postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ranged between 20/100 and 20/25. Four months postoperatively, the mean myopic shift by autorefractometry was -1.25 dioptre (D) and the mean postoperative astigmatism was 1.75 D. The mean central corneal endothelial loss at 4 months was 12.24% (range 4.5-17.2%). Five microscopic hyphaema occurred intraoperatively. Four cystoid macular oedema and four peripheral anterior synechia were the only complications, each occurring at the final follow-up. CONCLUSION: Topical plus subconjunctival anaesthesia and scleral fixation of foldable IOL (Ophtec PC 425Y) was safe, quick, required a small incision, led to favourable visual outcomes and minimized the risk of intraoperative and postoperative complications in eyes without capsule support. However, a long-term study of a large population is required to confirm these findings.

Experimental implantation of epiretinal retina implants (EPI-RET) with an IOL-type receiver unit.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the surgical feasibility of implantation and long-term structural outcome of retina implant devices with an anterior IOL receiver, a connecting microcable and posterior segment epiretinal microcontacts. Implantation of epiretinal retina (EPI-RET) implants was performed as a one-step surgical procedure including phacoemulsification and pars plana vitrectomy in two adult rabbits. Implants were mechanically stabilized in an anterior position by the lens capsule and in the posterior segment by microtacks with a soft contact collar. Follow-up (6 and 9 months) included regular clinical examination, anterior and posterior segment photography and finally pathohistological evaluation. Implantation was uneventful in case 1 and complicated by vitreous space haemorrhage in case 2. At the end of follow-up, the retina was partially detached in animal 1 and subtotally detached in animal 2. Common features of tissue reaction in both cases were the formation of cyclitic membranes extending around and posterior to the anterior IOL receiver. In addition to that severe proliferations developed around microcables, microcontacts and microtacks forming a tissue capsule around posterior segment foreign materials. Retinal areas in contact to implant devices presented a severe structural damage and disorganization. Results of this preliminary trial suggest that the application of epiretinal prostheses with large diameter IOL receivers may be a critical issue and can give rise to an unfavourable outcome. Further systematic investigation ought to be performed involving a larger number of animals, modified implants and perhaps other species.

Long-term complications of iris-claw phakic intraocular lens implantation in Weill-Marchesani syndrome.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to report the long-term complications of iris-claw phakic intraocular lens implantation in a patient with Weill-Marchesani syndrome. METHODS: Case report and literature review. RESULTS: A 26-year-old man with a history of glaucoma had bilateral phakic lens implantation for high myopia 10 years previously. Two years later, the left implant dislocated and was repositioned. Slit-lamp examination of both eyes revealed phakic implants of the iris-claw variety. There were moderate iridocorneal adhesions in the areas in which the lens haptics pinched the iris in both eyes and moderate epithelial and stromal edema over the temporal one-third of the left cornea. The crystalline lenses were clear with 3+phacodonesis OU. Dilated fundus examinations revealed bilateral severe optic nerve cupping. Crystalline lens diameters were measured at 7.5mm in the right eye and 8 mm in the left. Anterior chamber depths were 2.63 mm OD and 2.40 mm OS. Specular microscopy revealed central endothelial cell counts of 1133 and 587 cells/mm OD and OS, respectively. Axial lengths were 23.3 mm OD and 25 mm OS. Gonioscopic examination revealed bilateral angle closure with marked peripheral anterior synechiae. Based on our findings of short stature, shortened and thickened fingers, relatively normal axial length, microspherophakia, high myopia, and glaucoma, we diagnosed the patient with Weill-Marchesani syndrome. CONCLUSION: Iris claw-lens phakic lenses may be an effective surgical alternative to correct high myopia in select patients; however, it may produce long-term complications in eyes with specific features.

Efficacy and safety of phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation under topical anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: To eliminate complications of peribulbar and retrobulbar anesthesia and to achieve efficacy and safety for topical anesthesia with cataract surgery. METHODS: We performed clear corneal phacoemulsification with foldable intraocular lens (IOL) implantation under topical anesthesia using preservative-free 2% lidocaine drops, without intracameral anesthetic supplementation. The exclusion criteria were anxiety, small pupil, baseline endothelial count 1500 cells/mm2, uncontrolled glaucoma, other ocular entities affecting corneal endothelium, and allergy to the relevant medications. We used a specular microscope to evaluate the effect on the endothelium and employed a 10-point visual analog pain scale to assess the discomfort experienced during the operation. RESULTS: Totally, 29 eyes of 29 patients were enrolled in this series. The mean age was 71.5 +/- 8.5 years. Twenty-three of 29 (79.3%) cases achieved a best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) equal to 20/40 or better at an interval of 3 months postoperatively. Most patients (86.5%) felt mild or no pain during surgery. Pre- and postoperative endothelial counts were 2072.6 +/- 104 and 1927.4 +/- 196 cell/mm2, respectively. One in 29 cases developed vitreous loss due to involuntary eye movements intraoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Topical anesthesia with preservative-free 2% lidocaine drops is an effective and safe modality for clear corneal phacoemulsification with IOL implantation. On the other hand, for patients with small pupil or those who are anxious, the procedure may be time-consuming, and it is challenging for physicians to perform cataract surgery merely using topical anesthesia.

Anaesthesia-related diplopia after cataract surgery.

BACKGROUND: We studied the incidence and clinical characteristics of persistent diplopia related to anaesthesia for cataract surgery in a general hospital. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of anaesthesia for 3587 cataract surgeries. Of all the cases of diplopia referred to the ocular motility clinic after cataract surgery, those involving anaesthesia-related diplopia lasting longer than 1 month were studied. RESULTS: During the study period, 3450 cataract surgeries were performed by phacoemulsification and 137 by extracapsular extraction. Retrobulbar block was used in 2024 cases, peribulbar block in 98, topical anaesthesia in 1420 and general anaesthesia in 43. Twenty-six cases of persistent diplopia were found (0.72% incidence), nine of which (0.25%) were considered to be related to anaesthetic factors; five of the latter involved the left eye. Five were caused by paresis of the inferior rectus muscle and three by fibrosis. In one patient, the inferior oblique muscle was affected. Anaesthesia was by retrobulbar block in eight cases (0.39%) and by peribulbar block in one. No diplopia was found in patients who had topical or general anaesthesia. Treatment was with surgery in two patients and with prisms in six. One patient continues to be studied. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent diplopia can occur after cataract surgery using retrobulbar block predominantly through direct damage to the inferior rectus muscle. The overall incidence of anaesthesia-related diplopia in this series was 0.25%.

[Laser magnetotherapy after cataract extraction with implantation of intraocular lens]. / Lazeromagnitoterapiia posle ékstraktsii katarakty s implantatsiei intraokuliarnoi linzy.

Effects of low-intensive laser and alternating magnetic field on the course of the postoperative period were studied in patients with exudative reaction after extracapsular cataract extraction with implantation of intraocular lens (IOL). The results are analyzed for 148 eyes with early exudative reaction after IOL implantation (136 patients aged 42-75 years). The patients were observed for up to 6 months. The treatment efficiency was evaluated by the clinical picture of inflammatory reaction, visual acuity, and results of biochemical analysis of the lacrimal fluid (the ratio of lipid peroxidation products to antioxidants in cell membrane). The course of the postoperative period was more benign and recovery sooner in patients of the main group in comparison with the control.

Rectus muscle trauma complicating sub-Tenon's local anaesthesia.

PURPOSE: To describe three cases of rectus muscle trauma in patients undergoing phacoemulsification cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation under sub-Tenon's local anaesthesia via the inferonasal quadrant. METHODS: Retrospective review was carried out of 3 cases from 1080 patients who underwent phacoemulsification cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation under sub-Tenon's local anaesthesia in our unit over a 3 year period up to April 2000. RESULTS: Two patients complained postoperatively of vertical diplopia and were shown to have restriction of elevation of the eye, which was found at surgical exploration to be due to inferior rectus muscle restriction. One patient had post-operative horizontal diplopia due restriction of abduction and exploration of the medial rectus muscle was planned. CONCLUSION: Rectus muscle trauma is proposed as a complication of sub-Tenon's local anaesthesia and caution is advised to operators to clearly identify the sub-Tenon's space for injection of local anaesthetic.

A comparative study of topical vs retrobulbar anesthesia in complicated cataract surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate and compare levels of patient discomfort and perioperative complications during phacoemulsification and implantation of a foldable intraocular lens under topical lidocaine hydrochloride and retrobulbar anesthesia in patients with cataract who also had exfoliation syndrome, uveitis, posterior synechia, phacodonesis, or previous intraocular surgery. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, controlled trial was carried out at 2 institutions. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 476 eyes of 476 patients with various well-established risk factors fulfilled the inclusion criteria. In 238 eyes, phacoemulsification was performed under retrobulbar anesthesia, while the other 238 eyes received topical anesthesia. INTERVENTIONS: All patients underwent temporal clear corneal phacoemulsification and implantation of a foldable intraocular lens. Patients under retrobulbar anesthesia received a single injection (3. 5-5.5 mL) of a combination of 0.75% bupivacaine hydrochloride, 2% lidocaine, and hyaluronidase into the retrobulbar space. Patients in the topical anesthesia group received a minimum of 5 doses (approximately 40 microL per dose) of 2% topical lidocaine. No intracameral injection of any anesthetic was given. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The number of complications and adverse events. The intraoperative conditions were judged by the surgeon (P.C.J. or F.K. J.), and a 10-point visual analog scale was used immediately after surgery to assess each patient's overall severity of intraoperative pain. RESULTS: The overall intraoperative complication rate was 1.9% for capsular tear, 3.8% for zonular tear, 1.5% for vitreous loss, and 1.0% for iris prolapse. Apart from the incidence of vitreous loss, which was significantly (P =.041) lower in the topical anesthesia group, no statistically significant differences in intraoperative and early postoperative complications were found between the groups. A supplemental posterior sub-Tenon space injection was required in 1.3% of the topical anesthesia group and in 0.8% of the retrobulbar anesthesia group. Chemosis (2.5%), subconjunctival hemorrhage (1.7%), and periorbital hematoma (0.8%) were seen only in the retrobulbar anesthesia group. The mean + SE pain scores estimated by the patients were 0.84 + 1.30 in the topical anesthesia group and 0.73 + 1.50 in the retrobulbar anesthesia group (P =.41). Patient preference for topical anesthesia (91%) appeared to be significantly (P =.01) higher than for retrobulbar anesthesia (62%). The surgeons found anesthesia-related intraoperative difficulty to be slightly lower in the retrobulbar anesthesia group (8%) than in the topical anesthesia group (14%). CONCLUSIONS: Surgery-related complications and patient discomfort were similar for the 2 methods of anesthesia. Topical anesthesia is justified as a means of improving safety without causing discomfort to the patient even in complicated cases of cataract surgery. Arch Ophthalmol. 2000;118:1037-1043

[Effects of tripterygium wilfordii polyglyco - sidium on intraocular inflammatory reaction after intraocular lens implantation].

OBJECTIVE: The effects of tripterygium wilfordii polyglyco - sidium (TWP) on intraocular inflammatory reaction after extracapsular cataract extraction and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation were studied. METHODS: 120 cases with senile cataract were divided into two groups: (1) Patients received TWP after IOL implantation; (2) patients received prednisone after IOL implantation. The slit - lamp was used to observe inflammatory cells and fibrinous exudate in the aqueous humor and cellular deposits on IOL on the 1st, 3rd, 7th and 14th postoperative days. RESULTS: The study indicated that on the 1st, 3rd, 7th and 14th postoperative days the inflammatory cells and fibrinous exudate in the aqueous humor and cellular deposits on IOL were significantly lower in TWP - treated group than that in steroid - treated group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: TWP is effective in reducing postoperative anterior ocular inflammation after extracapsular cataract extraction and IOL implantation. The TWP is more effective than the steroid in suppressing postoperative intraocular inflammatory reaction.