Ophthalmologists' attitudes toward immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery: Dutch national survey.

PURPOSE: To evaluate current practice patterns of immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery (ISBCS) in the Netherlands and assess ophthalmologists' attitudes toward performing ISBCS in future cataract care. SETTING: Dutch ophthalmic society members. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study (national survey). METHODS: An electronic survey on ISBCS was sent as part of an annual survey on cataract practice patterns to members of the Dutch ophthalmic society. Questions regarding current ISBCS practice patterns, willingness to perform ISBCS routinely in future care, reasons for performing ISBCS, and reasons for not performing ISBCS were included. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: 237 (45.6%) of 520 survey recipients responded to the overall survey. Data on the ISBCS questions were available from 227 respondents. 62 ophthalmologists (27.3%) currently performed ISBCS, predominantly in low patient volumes (90.3% on 1 to 5 patients per month). However, 108 (47.6%) of 227 ophthalmologists considered performing ISBCS routinely in future practice. Procedures for which ISBCS was mainly considered included age-related cataract surgery using topical and general anesthesia. Availability of separate products and instruments for both eyes and patient advantages were considered of high importance when performing ISBCS. Main reasons for not performing ISBCS included the risk for endophthalmitis and potential medicolegal aspects. CONCLUSIONS: Although ISBCS is currently not a routine procedure in the Netherlands, it is considered by almost 50% of surgeons. To improve implementation on a national level, potential barriers identified in this survey (fear of bilateral endophthalmitis, potential medicolegal issues, and a lack of availability of separate products for both eyes) should be addressed.

Economic evaluation of prevention of cystoid macular edema after cataract surgery in diabetic patients: ESCRS PREMED study report 6.

PURPOSE: To investigate the cost-effectiveness of prophylactic treatments against cystoid macular edema after cataract surgery in diabetic patients. SETTING: 7 ophthalmology clinics in the Netherlands and Belgium. DESIGN: Prospective trial-based cost-effectiveness analysis using data from a European multicenter randomized clinical trial. METHODS: Diabetic patients (n = 163) undergoing uneventful cataract surgery were randomized to perioperative subconjunctival triamcinolone acetonide (n = 36), perioperative intravitreal bevacizumab (n = 36), combination treatment (n = 45), or no additional treatment (control group, n = 46). The cost analysis was performed from a healthcare perspective within a 12-week postoperative time horizon. The main effectiveness outcome was quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). The main cost-effectiveness outcome was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER; cost per QALY). RESULTS: The mean total healthcare costs and QALYs were as follows: triamcinolone group €1827 (U.S. dollars [$] 2295)/0.166; bevacizumab group €2050 ($2575)/0.144; combination group €2027 ($2546)/0.166; and control group €2041 ($2564)/0.156. Bevacizumab and control treatment were most costly and least effective. The ICER was €321 984 ($404 503) per QALY for the combination group compared with that of the triamcinolone group. Assuming the willingness-to-pay as €20 000 ($25 126) per QALY, the cost-effectiveness probability was 70% and 23% in the triamcinolone and combination groups, respectively. No patient who received triamcinolone developed clinically significant macular edema (CSME). A secondary cost-effectiveness analysis based on this outcome showed a clear preference for triamcinolone. CONCLUSIONS: In diabetic patients, subconjunctival triamcinolone was effective in preventing CSME after cataract surgery. The cost-effectiveness analysis showed that triamcinolone is also cost-effective.

Predictive accuracy of an intraoperative aberrometry device for a new monofocal intraocular lens.

PURPOSE: To evaluate refractive outcomes for the Clareon monofocal intraocular lens (IOL) in terms of achieved target refraction for the ORA (ALCON) intraoperative wavefront aberrometry device and preoperative noncontact biometry. SETTING: University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center+, the Netherlands. DESIGN: Prospective observational clinical trial. METHODS: Patients with bilateral age-related cataracts undergoing phacoemulsification, either by delayed sequential surgery or on the same day, were included in the study. Exclusion criteria were an increased risk for refractive surprise or complicated surgery. Implanted IOL power was based on noncontact optical biometry data using the Barrett Universal II (BU-II) formula, optimized for the Clareon IOL. Postoperative subjective refraction was measured 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. Catquest-9SF questionnaires were completed preoperatively and 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: 100 eyes (51 patients) were included. The percentages of eyes within 1.0 diopters (D), 0.75 D, 0.50 D, and 0.25 D of target for ORA vs BU-II were 84% (84 eyes), 72% (72 eyes), 57% (57 eyes), and 21% (21 eyes) vs 97% (97 eyes), 88% (88 eyes), 77% (77 eyes), and 53% (53 eyes), respectively. Mean absolute prediction error was significantly higher for ORA vs preoperative biometry (P < .001). After global optimization, the prediction accuracy of ORA improved significantly (P < .001). Catquest-9SF questionnaires showed improved levels of ability at 3 months after surgery (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed lower percentages of eyes within target refraction for ORA (prior to lens constant optimization) compared with the BU-II formula when implanting the Clareon IOL. However, prediction accuracy of ORA improved significantly after global optimization. Therefore, further intraoperative measurements, postoperative measurements, and optimization are needed to improve the ORA prediction for this IOL.

Economic evaluation of prevention of cystoid macular edema after cataract surgery in patients without diabetes: ESCRS PREMED study report 4.

PURPOSE: To investigate the cost-effectiveness of prophylactic treatments against cystoid macular edema (CME) after cataract surgery in patients without diabetes. SETTING: Seven ophthalmology clinics in the Netherlands and Belgium. DESIGN: Prospective cost-effectiveness analysis using data from a European multicenter randomized clinical trial (ESCRS PREMED). METHODS: Patients without diabetes planned for expected uneventful cataract surgery were randomized to topical bromfenac (Yellox, n = 242), topical dexamethasone (n = 242), or a combination treatment (n = 238). All relevant resources from a healthcare perspective were included in the cost analysis within a time horizon of 12 weeks postoperatively. The main effectiveness outcome was quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). The main cost-effectiveness outcome was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) based on the cost per QALY. RESULTS: The study comprised 722 patients without diabetes. Total healthcare costs and QALYs were € 447 (US $562) and 0.174 in the bromfenac group, €421 (US $529) and 0.179 in the dexamethasone group, and €442 (US $565) and 0.182 in the combination group. Bromfenac was most costly and least effective (ie, strongly dominated). The ICER was €6544 (US $8221) per QALY for the combination group compared with the dexamethasone group. Assuming that the willingness to pay is € 20 000 (US $25 126) per QALY, the cost-effectiveness probability was 3%, 32%, and 65% in the bromfenac, dexamethasone, and combination groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In patients without diabetes, combination treatment with topical bromfenac and dexamethasone was effective and cost-effective in preventing CME after cataract surgery compared with treatment with either drug alone.

Randomized controlled European multicenter trial on the prevention of cystoid macular edema after cataract surgery in diabetics: ESCRS PREMED Study Report 2.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of perioperative treatment strategies, in addition to topical bromfenac 0.09% and dexamethasone 0.1%, to reduce the risk for developing cystoid macular edema (CME) after uneventful cataract surgery in diabetic patients. SETTING: Twelve European study centers. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. METHODS: Diabetic patients having phacoemulsification cataract surgery were randomly allocated to receive no additional treatment, a subconjunctival injection with 40 mg triamcinolone acetonide, an intravitreal injection with 1.25 mg bevacizumab, or a combination of both. The main outcomes were the difference in central subfield mean macular thickness, corrected distance visual acuity, and the incidence of CME and clinically significant macular edema within 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: The study comprised 213 patients. At 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively, the central subfield mean macular thickness was 12.3 µm and 9.7 µm lower, respectively, in patients who received subconjunctival triamcinolone acetonide than patients who did not (P = .007 and P = .014, respectively). No patient who received subconjunctival triamcinolone acetonide developed CME. Intravitreal bevacizumab had no significant effect on macular thickness. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetic patients who received a subconjunctival injection with triamcinolone acetonide at the end of cataract surgery had a lower macular thickness and macular volume at 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively than patients who did not. Intravitreal bevacizumab had no significant effect.

European multicenter trial of the prevention of cystoid macular edema after cataract surgery in nondiabetics: ESCRS PREMED study report 1.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of a topical nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug, topical corticosteroid, and a combination of both drugs to prevent the occurrence of cystoid macular edema (CME) after cataract surgery in nondiabetic patients. SETTING: Twelve European study centers. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. METHODS: Nondiabetic patients having uneventful cataract surgery were included in this study. Patients were randomized to receive topical bromfenac 0.09% twice daily for 2 weeks or dexamethasone 0.1% 4 times daily with 1 drop less per day every following week, or a combination of both. The primary outcome was the difference in central subfield mean macular thickness 6 weeks postoperatively. Secondary outcome measures included corrected distance visual acuity as well as the incidence of CME and clinically significant macular edema (CSME) within 6 weeks and 12 weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: This study comprised 914 patients. Six weeks postoperatively, the central subfield mean macular thickness was 288.3 µm, 296.0 µm, and 284.5 µm in the bromfenac group, dexamethasone group, and combination treatment group, respectively (overall P = .006). The incidence of clinically significant macular edema within 12 weeks postoperatively was 3.6%, 5.1%, and 1.5%, respectively (overall P = .043). CONCLUSION: Patients treated with a combination of topical bromfenac 0.09% and dexamethasone 0.1% had a lower risk for developing CSME after cataract surgery than patients treated with a single drug.