Face-to-face upright seated positioning for cataract surgery in patients unable to lie flat: Case series of 240 consecutive phacoemulsifications.

PURPOSE: To present a case series of patients who were unable to lie flat for cataract surgery. SETTING: University teaching hospital, district hospital, and private practice, Norwich, United Kingdom. DESIGN: Prospective case series. METHODS: All patients had phacoemulsification using face-to-face upright seated positioning. The patient sits upright or semi-recumbent, and the surgeon sits or stands, facing the patient. The microscope is rotated forward, and surgery is done via an incision in the lower half of the cornea, using topical intracameral anesthesia. All 240 face-to-face cases, performed by the same surgeon, were prospectively recorded. The database included reasons for positioning difficulty, position adopted, and per-operative complications. Data on full systemic monitoring of 34 patients and satisfaction data on 90 patients were also recorded. RESULTS: In 13 years, 240 eyes (179 patients) had face-to-face surgery. Common diagnoses were severe kyphosis, orthopnea, or both. No patient was refused face-to-face surgery since the service was started. The rate of vitreous loss was 12 (5%) of 240 cases. However, all patients (100%) received a posterior chamber intraocular lens. No patient had any systemic adverse event, and vital signs remained stable during surgery. All respondents stated that they would be happy to have face-to-face positioning again. CONCLUSIONS: Face-to-face positioning, in the hands of an experienced surgeon, was an acceptably safe approach for patients unable to lie flat for cataract surgery. It might be the only option for some patients. However, all patients should be counseled regarding the increased risk for operative complications.

Two-Port Pars Plana Anterior and Central Core Vitrectomy (Lam Floaterectomy) in Combination With Phacoemulsification and Intraocular Lens Implantation Under Topical Anesthesia for Patients with Cataract and Significant Floaters: Results of the First 50 Consecutive Cases.

PURPOSE: To study the safety and efficacy of 2-port pars plana anterior and central core vitrectomy (Lam floaterectomy) in combination with phacoemulsification (phaco) and intraocular lens implantation (IOL) for patients with cataract and significant floaters under topical anesthesia. DESIGN: Retrospective review of the first 50 consecutive cases. METHODS: A standardized treatment protocol was used for patients with cataract and significant (moderate to severe) floaters (duration > 3 months). Data analysis included intraoperative and postoperative complications, floater status, and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: There were 50 eyes (38 patients) with a male-to-female ratio of 1 to 2.3. Twelve patients had bilateral eye surgeries. Mean age was 58.10 ± 9.85 years (range, 39-83). All patients completed the 3-month follow-up. One eye had mild vitreous hemorrhage at the end of surgery arising from sclerotomy wound oozing. No other intraoperative compli-cations were encountered. Postoperatively, there was 1 case of transient hypotony and 1 case of congestion at sclerotomy wound. No cases of retinal break or detachment, or clinically significant macular edema, were reported. There were 5 cases (10%) of mild residual floaters and 1 case (2%) of floater recurrence. Total floater clearance rate was 88%. Patient satisfaction rates were 80%, 14%, 6%, and 0% for very satisfied, satis-fied, acceptable, and unsatisfied, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The 3-month results in terms of safety and efficacy of the Lam floaterectomy in combination with phaco and IOLfor patients with cataract and significant floaters under topical anesthesia are encouraging. Further larger-scale, prospective, multicenter studies seem warranted.

Cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation in children aged 5-15 in local anaesthesia: visual outcomes and complications.

The aim of this study was to report feasibility, the visual outcomes and complications of pediatric cataract surgery with primary intraocular lens implantation in children aged 5 to15 years in local anesthesia. This retrospective interventional case series included 62 eyes from 50 children who underwent pediatrc cataract surgery with primary intraocular lens implantation at the Mana eye Clinic Nkongsamba between 2006 and 2015 Main outcome measures were: best-corrected post operative visual acuity, and intraoperative and postoperative complications. Mean age at surgery was 10.18 ± 3.21 years. Mean follow up length was 15.75 ± 3.36 weeks. Etiology included: 10 congenital cataracs (16.12%). 35 developmental cataracts (56.45%) and 17 traumatic cataracts (27.41%). The mean preoperative BCVA was logMAR 1.19 ± 0.33. (range 0.6-2.3). After cycloplegia refraction 2 weeks after surgery, the mean postoperative BCVA was log MAR 0.58 ± 0.88 ( range 0.5-1.8). The mean implanted IOL power was 22.01 ±3.16 D. IOL was succefuly implanted in 54 eyes (87.07%). Eight eyes (9.67%) were left aphakic. Increase in BCVA of 4 logMAR lines and above was recorded in 27 patients (43.55%). Intraoperative complications included: 4 posterior capsule holes with vitrous lost, 3 lenses subluxation and 1 case of iris dialyse. Late postoperative complications included: posterior capsular opacity which occurred in 16 patients, 3 posterior synechia, 2 retinal detachment. Peribulbar anaesthesia can be considered as a viable option in selected patients presenting developmental cataract undergoing cataract surgery in developing countries. Effort should be made to improve the early identification of congenital cataract and its early surgical intervention and prompt optical rehabilitation to prevent amblyopia.

Intraocular lens exchange technique for an opacified bag-in-the-lens.

We describe the intraocular lens (IOL) exchange technique that is specific to the bag-in-the-lens IOL. The subsequent IOL analysis displayed a deep granular opacification consisting predominantly of calcium and phosphates that has been described in hydrophilic IOLs.

Comparison of clinical outcomes, patient, and surgeon satisfaction following topical versus peribulbar anesthesia for phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation: a randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Both cataract surgery and anesthesia techniques are rapidly evolving to become more patient friendly. However, comparison of topical anesthesia (TA) and peribulbar anesthesia (PA) for phacoemulsification and cataract surgery is limited. We evaluated the clinical outcomes and patient and surgeon satisfaction between anesthetic techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized clinical trial was conducted between January and June 2012. Patients were randomly assigned to TA and PA groups for surgery. Visual acuity at 4 weeks postoperatively, status of the cornea and the wound and intraoperative complications were compared between groups at day 1, and 1 and 4 weeks after surgery. Patients and the surgeon completed a close-ended questionnaire on satisfaction with analgesia and comfort. The relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was calculated. RESULT: There were 500 patients in each group. There were no significant differences between groups preoperatively. Complications at 1-day postoperatively were significantly greater in the TA group (RR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.17-1.58). Satisfaction with the mitigation of pain was statistically significantly greater in the PA group compared to the TA group (χ2 = 10.9, df = 3, P = 0.001). Surgeons were more satisfied with PA compared to TA (RR = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.34-1.63). There were more anesthesia-related complications in the PA group compared to the TA group. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who underwent surgery with topical anesthetic experienced lower complications by more pain compared to patients who underwent PA. Topical anesthetic supplemented with analgesic medications could help the patient and surgeon during cataract surgery.

[Individualised correction of presbyopia by the use of phacoemulsification: monovision and multifocal lenses]. / Individualisierte Presbyopiekorrektur bei der Kataraktoperation: Monovision und Multifokallinsen.

The cataract operation has transformed from a procedure for correcting spherical and astigmatic errors to one for correcting even presbyopia. Higher demands by the patients and more and more complex and individual lifestyle options need customised concepts of presbyopic correction, taking also into account comorbidities and neuroadaption. One concept for achieving this goal is multifocal lenses, undergoing a renaissance these days. Monovision using monofocal lenses is a cost neutral alternative with very few side effects, if well performed. It is defined by the far focus of one eye and the near focus of the other. Binocularity of human vision enables multiple options by combining different means of presbyopia correction. But it also complicates making the right choice. This underlines the importance of an accurate patient selection and the precise definition of what to achieve for each individual patient.

An in vitro evaluation of the Anew Zephyr open-bag IOL in the prevention of posterior capsule opacification using a human capsular bag model.

PURPOSE: During cataract surgery an IOL is placed within the capsular bag. Clinical studies show that IOLs with a square edge profile and complete contact between the IOL and the anterior capsule (AC) are currently the best way to prevent posterior capsule opacification (PCO). This has been challenged by recent clinical and experimental observations, which suggest that if the capsular bag is kept open with separation of contact between the AC and posterior capsule (PC) by an "open-bag device" PCO is dramatically reduced. Therefore, the current study set out to evaluate the putative merits of an open-bag IOL (Anew Zephyr) in a human capsular bag model. METHODS: An in vitro organ culture model using the bag-zonular-ciliary body complex isolated from fellow human donor eyes was prepared. A capsulorhexis and lens extraction were performed, and an Alcon Acrysof IOL or Anew Zephyr IOL implanted. Preparations were secured by pinning the ciliary body to a silicone ring and maintained in 6 mL Eagle's minimum essential medium (EMEM) or EMEM supplemented with 2% vol/vol human serum (HS) and 10 ng/mL TGF-ß2 for 28 days. Cell growth and capsular modifications were monitored with phase-contrast and modified dark-field microscopy. RESULTS: In serum-free EMEM culture conditions, cells were observed growing onto the PC of preparations implanted with an Anew Zephyr IOL, but this was retarded relative to observations in match-paired capsular bags implanted with an Alcon Acrysof IOL. In the case of cultures maintained in 2% HS-EMEM plus TGF-ß2, the movement on to the PC was again delayed with the presence of an Anew Zephyr IOL. Differences in the degree of growth on the PC and matrix modifications were apparent with the different donors, but in each case the match-paired Alcon Acrysof implanted bag exhibited significantly greater coverage and modification of the capsule. CONCLUSIONS: The Anew Zephyr open-bag IOL performs consistently better than the Alcon Acrysof IOL in the human capsular bag model. We propose that the benefits observed with the Anew Zephyr result from a reduction in growth factor levels available within the capsular bag and a barrier function imposed by the ring haptic.

Femtosecond laser-assisted technique for performing bag-in-the-lens intraocular lens implantation.

We describe a technique for femtosecond laser-assisted bag-in-the-lens (BIL) intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Anterior capsulotomy and lens division into small pieces are performed by the laser. A fluid-filled interface makes it possible to re-dock the laser to the eye for posterior capsulotomy after the eye has been opened for lens aspiration without complications. The integrated optical coherence tomography also visualizes the posterior capsule, allowing a centered central posterior capsulotomy for uncomplicated IOL positioning. In 31 patients, no complications were observed within a 1-month follow-up. Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery facilitated the BIL technique.

Pathologic comparison of asymmetric or sulcus fixation of 3-piece intraocular lenses with square versus round anterior optic edges.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pathologic findings of 3-piece intraocular lenses (IOLs) with asymmetric or sulcus fixation in pseudophakic cadaver eyes, comparing IOLs with square or round edges on the anterior optic surface. DESIGN: Comparative case series with pathology. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 661 pseudophakic cadaver eyes, obtained from eye banks within the United States, implanted with different IOLs. METHODS: Anterior segment scanning of whole eyes with a high-frequency ultrasound system or high-resolution anterior segment magnetic resonance imaging followed by gross examination. Selected eyes were processed for complete histopathologic analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Findings from imaging, gross, and histopathologic evaluation that could be related to out-of-the-bag fixation of the lenses. RESULTS: Of 661 pseudophakic cadaver eyes obtained, 13 had 3-piece hydrophobic acrylic IOLs with anterior and posterior square optic edges, and 14 had 3-piece lenses with anterior round edges (13 silicone lenses and 1 hydrophobic acrylic lens) without symmetric in-the-bag fixation. These 27 selected eyes were processed for complete histopathologic analysis. Gross findings in both groups were composed of IOL decentration and tilt, pigmentary dispersion within the anterior segment and on the IOL surface, and iris transillumination defects. Histopathology of the 14 eyes with 3-piece IOLs with round anterior optic edges showed mild focal disruption of the iris pigmented layer and loop protrusion/erosion in the ciliary sulcus. Additional changes observed in the 13 eyes with square anterior optic edge IOLs included iris changes, such as vacuolization, disruption and loss of the pigmented epithelial layers, iris thinning and atrophy, synechiae, and pigmentary dispersion within the trabecular meshwork. One eye also exhibited initial signs of optic nerve disc cupping. CONCLUSIONS: In this series, pathologic findings were more severe in eyes implanted with 3-piece IOLs with square anterior optic edges, suggesting that IOLs with round anterior edges are more suitable for sulcus fixation. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Extreme face-to-face positioning for cataract surgery with patient seated upright in motorized wheelchair.

We present a case of extreme positioning for cataract surgery. The 68-year-old man was unable to lie flat and found it difficult to transfer from his motorized wheelchair. He had poor mobility due to a stroke, slept upright because of orthopnea, and his neck extension was poor. After the options and risks were discussed, surgery was performed under topical intracameral anesthesia using face-to-face positioning with the patient seated upright in his wheelchair. The operating microscope was rotated toward the horizontal, and the surgeon stood at the patient's side with the patient's face almost upright. The right-handed surgeon used a temporal corneal incision (0 degree) in the left eye and an inferior incision (270 degrees) in the right eye. Surgery and recovery were uneventful. Given a preexisting epiretinal membrane in the left eye, the patient was very happy with the uncorrected distance visual acuity outcome of 6/9 in the right eye and 6/18 in the left eye.

Piggybacking technique for vitreous protection during opacified intraocular lens exchange in eyes with an open posterior capsule.

UNLABELLED: We describe a surgical technique for the safe exchange of opacified 1-piece IOLs in eyes that have had a neodymium:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy. Initially, the opacified IOL is freed from the capsule adhesions using a dispersive ophthalmic viscosurgical device, which is also injected beneath the opacified IOL to protect the vitreous interface. The IOL is then brought into the anterior chamber. A new 3-piece clear IOL is injected before the opacified IOL is removed and is placed behind the opacified IOL, preventing the vitreous from prolapsing. The pupil is constricted pharmacologically, and the opacified IOL is removed through a standard 2.75 mm corneal incision using the hinge technique. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Cupid fixation for repositioning subluxated intraocular lens.

We describe the cupid fixation technique, which allows safe repositioning of a subluxated intraocular lens (IOL). Under subconjunctival anesthesia, the body of the subluxated IOL is perforated with a 10-0 polypropylene suture on a straight needle. The IOL is then centered and fixated at the sclera overlying the ciliary sulcus; the knot is tied beneath a previously created limbal intrascleral pocket. No intraoperative complications occurred in 24 cases in which the technique was performed, and successful IOL centration was achieved.

Visual prognosis, intraocular pressure control and complications in phacomorphic glaucoma following manual small incision cataract surgery.

AIMS: To evaluate intraocular pressure (IOP) control, visual prognosis and complications following manual small incision cataract surgery among eyes with phacomorphic glaucoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective, non-randomized interventional consecutive case series included all patients with phacomorphic glaucoma who presented to a tertiary eye care referral center in South India between March 2006 and April 2007. All patients underwent slit-lamp bio-microscopy, applanation tonometry and gonioscopy of the other eye to rule out angle closure. Small incision cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation was performed in all affected eyes. Complete ophthalmic examination was done at each follow-up visit. RESULTS: A total of 74 eyes with phacomorphic glaucoma were included in this study. The preoperative mean IOP was 38.4+/-14.3 mmHg and mean IOP at last follow-up was 12.7+/-2.4 mmHg. There was a statistically significant difference between IOP at presentation and IOP at last follow-up (P< 0.001). None of the eyes required long-term antiglaucoma medication. No significant intraoperative complications were noted. The final postoperative best corrected visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 51 patients. Eighteen eyes had corneal edema and 36 eyes had anterior chamber inflammation. Both conditions resolved with standard medical therapy. CONCLUSION: Manual small incision cataract surgery is safe and effective in controlling IOP and achieving good functional visual acuity with minimal complications in the management of phacomorphic glaucoma in developing countries.

Optical quality one month after verisyse and Veriflex phakic IOL implantation and Zeiss MEL 80 LASIK for myopia from 5.00 to 16.50 diopters.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the eye's optical quality after phakic intraocular lens (IOL) implantation and LASIK for moderate to high myopia. METHODS: The retinal image quality of 45 patients was evaluated after undergoing one of three surgical procedures (9 patients with Verisyse IOL [AMO] implants, 11 patients with Veriflex IOL [AMO] implants, and 25 patients who underwent LASIK). Patients were aged <40 years, had at least 5.00 diopters of myopia, and had preoperative best spectacle-corrected visual acuity and postoperative uncorrected visual acuity better than 20/30. The eye's optical quality was measured using the Optical Quality Analysis System (OQAS, Visiometrics S.L.), which is an instrument based on the double-pass technique. Measurements were performed before surgery and 1 day and 1 month after surgery. RESULTS: Optical quality worsened noticeably 1 day after surgery with the Verisyse IOL with a 50% to 60% loss, most likely due to the large incision and the presence of sutures in most eyes. The LASIK technique and Veriflex IOL implant did not cause as remarkable a decrease in optical quality (20% to 25% loss). One month after surgery, the optical quality of patients with IOL implants was high, although some surgically induced astigmatism remained, especially in the Verisyse patients. Conversely, LASIK patients had slightly lower optical quality, with optical parameters that represented 90% of their initial value. CONCLUSIONS: Verisyse and Veriflex phakic IOL implantation and LASIK are both safe and effective in correcting moderate to high myopia, but they involve different processes of optical quality recovery. One day after surgery, the Verisyse IOL implantation significantly reduced the eye's optical quality, mainly due to the larger incision required and the higher number of sutures used. This reduction was not as remarkable with the other two techniques. However, 1 month after surgery, patients with IOL implants recovered more optical quality than LASIK patients.

The influence of viscoelastic substances on the corneal endothelium during cataract surgery by phacoemulsification.

PURPOSE: To compare the ability of different ophthalmic viscoelastic devices to protect the corneal endothelium following in-the-bag phacoemulsification with posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. MATERIAL & METHODS: We studied 50 patients with soft to moderately dense (Grade 1-3) cataract and corneal endothelial cell density of >2000 cells/mm2. The corneal response to surgery was evaluated by measuring the endothelial cell loss, the variation in the mean cell area of the endothelial cells (CV), and the central corneal thickness, all that by using a TOPCON SP 2000P noncontact, specular microscope. Data were recorded preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: Preoperatively no statistical significant difference was observed in cell count, CV or pachymetry among groups. Postoperatively, all the groups had a statistically significant decrease (p < 0.001) in endothelial cell count. There was an equal and significant (p < 0.001) increase in visual acuity. Between groups there was no statistically significant difference (p > 0.17) in any of the parameters we studied. CONCLUSIONS: Between the OVDs we used, either DisCoVisc or ProVisc & VisCoat, there was no statistical significant difference neither in surgical outcome nor in endothelial layer aspect and function. DisCoVisc protected better the endothelium cells even if it was not statistically significant, and is the one that can be used for the entire surgical procedure.

Comparative clinical trial of topical anaesthetic agents for cataract surgery with phacoemulsification: lidocaine 2% drops, levobupivacaine 0.75% drops, and ropivacaine 1% drops.

PURPOSE: To assess the safety and efficacy of topical lidocaine, levobupivacaine, and ropivacaine in cataract surgery with phacoemulsification. METHODS: One hundred and five patients scheduled for cataract surgery with topical anaesthesia were randomly allocated into 3 groups of 35 patients each to receive eye drops of lidocaine 2%, levobupivacaine 0.75%, or ropivacaine 1% every 5 min starting 30 min before surgery. Patients graded their pain using a 0-10-point verbal pain score (VPS) at different stages of the procedure. The levels of patient and surgeon satisfaction, the duration of surgery, complications, and the need for supplemental anaesthesia were recorded. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in duration of surgery and demographic variables among the groups. At the intraoperative period, end of surgery, and postoperative first hour the mean VPS in the lidocaine group was significantly higher than the others (P<0.01), but no significant difference was found between the levobupivacaine and ropivacaine groups. At incision and 24 h after surgery, it was not significantly different among the groups. Surgeon and patient satisfaction scores were significantly better in the levobupivacaine and ropivacaine groups than in the lidocaine group (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Topical anaesthesia with levobupivacaine and ropivacaine were safe, feasible and more effective than lidocaine in cataract surgery. Levobupivacaine and ropivacaine provided sufficient and long-lasting analgesia without the need of supplemental anaesthesia for each patient.

[Early visual recovery after cataract surgery using topical and intracameral anesthesia]. / Frühe visuelle Rehabilitation nach Kataraktoperation in kombinierter topischer und intrakameraler Anästhesie.

INTRODUCTION: Topical anaesthesia in cataract surgery permits early visual rehabilitation due to the reduced impact on the optic nerve function. In this prospective study, we evaluated the course of visual improvement after surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 45 consecutive patients with senile cataract and no concomitant eye disease were included in the study. Cataract surgery by clear corneal phacoemulsifaction was performed with insertion of a foldable IOL in the capsular bag under topical anaesthesia. For anaesthesia topical lidocaine gel (2 %) and intracameral injection of 0.15 ml lidocaine (1 %) was used. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were measured in decimal fractions within 4 hours after surgery and 1 day postoperatively. RESULTS: The average preoperative UCVA was 0.23 +/- 0.39 and BCVA was 0.38 +/- 0.23 SD. Four hours postoperatively UCVA and BCVA improved significantly to 0.48 +/- 0.24 and 0.68 +/- 0.18, respectively. One day after surgery, the average UCVA was 0.65 +/- 0.15 and the BCVA was 0.89 +/- 0.07. 75 % (34) of the patients improved to a UCVA of 0.5 or better. The visual acuity improved in all patients one day after surgery, with 60 % (27) of the patients achieving a BCVA of 0.9 or better one day postoperatively. The postoperative corneal function had a significant influence on visual recovery (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: A significant visual improvement was observed immediately after cataract surgery using the combination of topical and intracameral anaesthesia. 75 % of the patients reached a UCVA, which permitted sufficient visual function for mobility and orientation. Thus, the rapid recovery of visual function suggests an increased safety, particularly for out-patient surgery.

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.