Comparisons of the energy efficiency and intraocular safety of two torsional phacoemulsification tips.

BACKGROUND: During cataract phacoemulsification surgery, an Intrepid® balanced (IB) tip can achieve a larger amplitude, which may lead to higher energy efficiency than a Kelman (K) tip when paired with a torsional phaco platform. In this retrospective cohort study, we compared their energy efficiency and damage to the cornea under a new energy setting. METHODS: The medical records of 104 eyes of 79 patients were reviewed, with 47 eyes belonging to the IB group and 57 eyes belonging to the K group. All surgeries were performed on an Alcon Centurion® platform with gravity infiltration. Surgical parameters, visual outcome, central corneal thickness (CCT) changes, and endothelial cell density (ECD) loss rate were recorded and calculated. RESULTS: No significant differences in postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), total ultrasound time, estimated fluid aspirated, CCT changes, or ECD loss rate were observed between the two groups. We divided the included eyes into soft nucleus and hard nucleus subgroups and found lower cumulative dissipated energy (CDE, 8.15 ± 8.02 vs 14.82 ± 14.16, P = 0.023), cumulative torsional energy (CTE, 8.06 ± 7.87 vs 14.13 ± 13.02, P = 0.027), and cumulative longitudinal energy (CLE, 0.09 ± 0.17 vs 0.69 ± 1.37, P = 0.017) in the IB group than in the K group, implying less energy used and higher energy efficiency of the IB tip. CONCLUSION: Lower CLE in the IB group indicates fewer phaco tip obstructions and a significantly higher capability to conquer hard nuclei with IB tips with statistical significance. With an ultra-perfusion cannula, the balanced tip does not cause more corneal damage.

Vision stolen by a hidden thief: 5-Year retention of a bandage contact lens.

An 80 year-old male patient was prescribed a bandage contact lens on the left eye 5 years ago because of an injury on the eye by a wooden stick. He was never followed up to remove the contact lens. Two years ago, he suffered from gradually decreased visual acuity in the left eye. After removing the contact lens, his visual acuity gradually increased to 12/20 and the symptom revealed. Intraocular pressure, corneal endothelium density, corneal curvature, and the anterior chamber depth were within the normal range in the left eye, and were comparable with the right eye. Although no permanent damage was found in the patient, a strict follow-up procedure is strongly recommended for patients who receive a bandage contact lens.

Pigment dispersion glaucoma induced by the chafing effect of intraocular lens haptics in Asian eyes.

PURPOSE: To study the possible mechanism and treatment for pigment dispersion glaucoma (PDG) caused by single-piece acrylic (SPA) intraocular lens (IOL) ciliary sulcus fixation in Asian eyes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients referred for PDG caused by SPA IOL ciliary sulcus fixation to our hospital from April 2005 to June 2011 were included. The patients' general information, IOL type, interval between initial surgery and PDG occurrence, examination findings, antiglaucoma medicine regimen and surgical interventions were recorded. RESULTS: In total, six eyes from five Chinese patients were included in this study. The intraocular pressure (IOP) increased 19-30 days after cataract surgery and was not satisfactorily controlled with antiglaucoma medication. Dense pigmentation was deposited on the IOLs and on the anterior chamber angle. IOL haptic chafing was noted on the rear iris surface. IOL repositioning in the capsular bag was performed in three eyes and was combined with trabeculectomy in two eyes with progressive glaucoma. An IOL exchange with three-piece IOL ciliary sulcus fixation was performed in the other three eyes. Scanning electron microscopy of the explanted IOLs demonstrated a rough edge on the IOL haptics. CONCLUSIONS: SPA IOLs were not suitable for ciliary sulcus fixation. The chafing effect of the IOL haptics on the posterior iris pigment epithelium could induce PDG in Asian eyes. IOLs should be positioned in the capsular bag or a three-piece IOL should be used instead.

Endothelial keratoplasty: the use of viscoelastic as an aid in reattaching the dislocated graft in abnormally structured eyes.

PURPOSE: To explore the feasibility of reattaching the dislocated graft with viscoelastic in abnormally structured eyes after Descemet-stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK). DESIGN: Retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: Five pseudophakic bullous keratopathy cases (5 eyes) with a history of vitrectomy and/or iris-lens diaphragm injury. METHODS: After DSAEK, graft dislocation occurred in each of the 5 cases (5 eyes). We attempted to fill the anterior chamber (AC) with an air bubble to push up the dislocated graft, but this was not successful. We then injected balanced salt solution into the vitreous body to obtain normal intraocular pressure (IOP) and injected a small amount of viscoelastic (Healon GV) to support the AC. Next, we injected an air bubble into the AC. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The position of the grafts was checked with a slit lamp and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). The IOP was observed with Goldmann tonometer. The best visual acuity was checked. RESULTS: As observed through the slit lamp and AS-OCT, the grafts reattached well in all patients. The IOP was normal in all patients except one, who had high IOP 1 month postoperatively. After receiving drug treatment, the patient's IOP returned to normal. The grafts had slight edema on postoperative day 1, but became transparent between days 5 and 8. CONCLUSIONS: Viscoelastic aided in the reattachment of the dislocated graft in eyes with a history of vitrectomy and/or iris-lens diaphragm injury. The presence of viscoelastic in the AC in the early period of post-DSAEK was well tolerated in this small series.