Anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs during cataract surgery / Anticoagulantes e agentes antiaplaquetários na cirurgia de catarata

ABSTRACT Patients undergoing cataract surgery are generally elderly, and many take drugs with systemic effects. The surgeon must be aware of the risks of continuing or discontinuing such medications perioperatively. Antiplatelet drugs and anticoagulants, prescribed to reduce the incidence of thromboembolic events, are often used in this population. This paper aims to review the perioperative use of antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs in the setting of cataract surgery. Topical or intracameral anesthesia is preferred over anesthesia injected with needles. Aspirin can be safely continued in patients undergoing cataract surgery. Warfarin has been extensively studied, and the risk of hemorrhage associated with cataract surgery is low if the international normalized ratio is in the therapeutic range. Only a few studies of direct oral anticoagulants are available, and therefore no definite recommendations regarding those agents can be made at this time. Anesthesia in cataract surgery carries a low risk, even for patients taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs. The discontinuation of this class of drugs before cataract surgery may increase the risk of thromboembolism.

RESUMO Os pacientes submetidos à cirurgia de catarata são geralmente idosos e muitos deles usam drogas com efeitos sistêmicos. No entanto, o cirurgião deve estar ciente dos riscos em manter ou descontinuar medicamentos sistêmicos no pré-operatório da cirurgia de catarata, como os anticoagulantes e os antiplaquetários. Este artigo tem como objetivo revisar a classe de drogas antiplaquetárias e anticoagulantes e orientar o cirurgião de catarata. A classe de fármacos anticoagulantes e antiplaquetária reduz a incidência de eventos potencialmente tromboembólicos. A anestesia tópica ou intracameral nesses pacientes deve ser preferida em relação à anestesia com agulhas. Aspirina pode ser mantida com segurança nos pacientes submetidos à cirurgia de catarata. A varfarina foi amplamente estudada e os riscos na cirurgia de catarata são baixos, no entanto, o INR deve ser controlado. Mais estudos são necessários com anticoagulantes orais diretos. Anestesia na cirurgia de catarata tem baixo risco de complicações, mesmo em uso de anticoagulantes ou antiplaquetários sistêmicos. A descontinuação desta classe de medicamentos no pré-operatório da cirurgia de catarata pode aumentar os riscos sistêmicos tromboembólicos.

Anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs during cataract surgery.

Patients undergoing cataract surgery are generally elderly, and many take drugs with systemic effects. The surgeon must be aware of the risks of continuing or discontinuing such medications perioperatively. Antiplatelet drugs and anticoagulants, prescribed to reduce the incidence of thromboembolic events, are often used in this population. This paper aims to review the perioperative use of antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs in the setting of cataract surgery. Topical or intracameral anesthesia is preferred over anesthesia injected with needles. Aspirin can be safely continued in patients undergoing cataract surgery. Warfarin has been extensively studied, and the risk of hemorrhage associated with cataract surgery is low if the international normalized ratio is in the therapeutic range. Only a few studies of direct oral anticoagulants are available, and therefore no definite recommendations regarding those agents can be made at this time. Anesthesia in cataract surgery carries a low risk, even for patients taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs. The discontinuation of this class of drugs before cataract surgery may increase the risk of thromboembolism.

Cataract surgery: emotional reactions of patients with monocular versus binocular vision / Cirurgia de catarata: aspectos emocionais de pacientes com visão monocular versus binocular

PURPOSE: To analyze emotional reactions related to cataract surgery in two groups of patients (monocular vision - Group 1; binocular vision - Group 2). METHODS: A transversal comparative study was performed using a structured questionnaire from a previous exploratory study before cataract surgery. RESULTS: 206 patients were enrolled in the study, 96 individuals in Group 1 (69.3 ± 10.4 years) and 110 in Group 2 (68.2 ± 10.2 years). Most patients in group 1 (40.6%) and 22.7% of group 2, reported fear of surgery (p<0.001). The most important causes of fear were: possibility of blindness, ocular complications and death during surgery. The most prevalent feelings among the groups were doubts about good results and nervousness. CONCLUSION: Patients with monocular vision reported more fear and doubts related to surgical outcomes. Thus, it is necessary that phisycians considers such emotional reactions and invest more time than usual explaining the risks and the benefits of cataract surgery.Ouvir.

OBJETIVO: Verificar reações emocionais relacionadas à cirurgia de catarata entre pacientes com visão monocular (Grupo 1) e binocular (Grupo 2). MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo tranversal, comparativo por meio de um questionário estruturado respondido por pacientes antes da cirurgia de catarata. RESULTADOS: A amostra foi composta de 96 pacientes no Grupo 1 (69.3 ± 10.4 anos) e 110 no Grupo 2 (68.2 ± 10.2 anos). Consideravam apresentar medo da cirugia 40.6% do Grupo 1 e 22.7% do Grupo 2 (p<0.001) e entre as principais causas do medo, a possibilidade de perda da visão, complicações cirúrgicas e a morte durante o procedimento foram apontadas. Os sentimentos mais comuns entre os dois grupos foram dúvidas a cerca dos resultados da cirurgia e o nervosismo diante do procedimento. CONCLUSÃO: Pacientes com visão monocular apresentaram mais medo e dúvidas relacionadas à cirurgia de catarata comparados com aqueles com visão binocular. Portanto, é necessário que os médicos considerem estas reações emocionais e invistam mais tempo para esclarecer os riscos e benefícios da cirurgia de catarata.

Effect of aspherical and yellow tinted intraocular lens on blue-on-yellow perimetry / Efeito das lentes intraoculares asféricas e com pigmentação amarela na campimetria azul-amarelo

PURPOSE: To investigate the possible effect of aspherical or yellow tinted intraocular lens (IOL) on contrast sensitivity and blue-on-yellow perimetry. METHODS: This prospective randomized bilateral double-masked clinical study included 52 patients with visually significant bilateral cataracts divided in two groups; 25 patients (50 eyes) received aspherical intraocular lens in one eye and spherical intraocular lens in the fellow eye; and 27 patients (54 eyes) received ultraviolet and blue light filter (yellow tinted) IOL implantation in one eye and acrylic ultraviolet filter IOL in the fellow eye. The primary outcome measures were contrast sensitivity and blue-on-yellow perimetry values (mean deviation [MD] and pattern standard deviation [PSD]) investigated two years after surgery. The results were compared intra-individually. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant between-group (aspherical and spherical intraocular lens) difference in contrast sensitivity under photopic conditions at 12 cycles per degree and under mesopic conditions at all spatial frequencies. There were no between-group significant differences (yellow tinted and clear intraocular lens) under photopic or mesopic conditions. There was no statistically significant difference between all intraocular lens in MD or PSD. CONCLUSION: Contrast sensitivity was better under mesopic conditions with aspherical intraocular lens. Blue-on-yellow perimetry did not appear to be affected by aspherical or yellow tinted intraocular lens. Further studies with a larger sample should be carried out to confirm or not that hypotheses.

OBJETIVO: Investigar a possibilidade de efeitos na sensibilidade ao contraste e nos resultados da campimetria azul-amarelo com implante de uma lente intraocular (LIO) asférica ou de pigmentação amarela. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo prospectivo, randomizado, duplo-mascarado, envolvendo 52 pacientes portadores de catarata senil bilateral, divididos em dois grupos; 25 pacientes (50 olhos) receberam uma LIO asférica em um olho e uma esférica no olho contralateral; e 27 pacientes (54 olhos) com implante de uma LIO de pigmentação amarela e uma LIO convencional no olho contralateral. O principal resultado do estudo foi a sensibilidade ao contraste e os dados da perimetria azul-amarelo ("mean deviation" [MD] e "pattern standard deviation" [PSD]). Os resultados foram analisados interindividualmente. RESULTADOS: Houve diferença estatística entre os grupos (lentes asféricas e esféricas) na sensibilidade ao contraste em condições fotópicas (12 ciclos por grau) e em condições mesópicas (todas frequências). Não houve diferença estatística na sensibilidade ao contraste entre as lentes de pigmentação amarela e convencionais. Não houve diferença estatística nos valores de MD e PSD entre os grupos. CONCLUSÃO: A sensibilidade ao contraste foi melhor em condições mesópicas com as lentes asféricas. A campimetria azul-amarelo parece não ser influenciada por LIOs asféricas e com pigmentação amarela. Mais estudos com uma amostra maior são necessários para confirmar ou afastar essa hipótese.

Cancelamento de cirurgias de catarata em um hospital público de referência / Cancellation of cataract surgery in a public hospital

OBJETIVO: Analisar a incidência e causas de cancelamento de cirurgias de catarata em um hospital público de referência. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo retrospectivo em que foram analisados o número de cancelamentos de facectomias durante o ano de 2009. Foram analisados sexo, idade, tipo de procedimento suspenso (facoemulsificação ou extração extracapsular do cristalino), tipo de anestesia, convênio (Sistema Único de Saúde ou convênio/particular) e motivo de suspensão da cirurgia (causas clínicas, institucionais ou pessoais). RESULTADOS: Foram agendadas no período 2.965 cirurgias de catarata, havendo 650 cancelamentos (21,92%). Dentre as principais razões para a suspensão do procedimento destacaram-se as causas clínicas (86,90%). Os meses de inverno apresentaram os maiores índices de suspensão de cirurgias de catarata. CONCLUSÃO: A taxa de cancelamento de cirurgia de catarata em serviços públicos parece ser a mesma que há 10 anos. A principal causa de suspensão deve-se por condições clínicas (hipertensão, diabetes, falta de exames, etc.).

PURPOSE: To report the incidence and causes of cataract surgery cancellations in a public hospital. METHODS: This is a retrospective study, which examined the number of cancellations of cataract surgery during 2009. We analyzed the type of procedure suspended (phacoemulsification or extracapsular extraction), type of anesthesia, gender, age, covenant (public/private) and the main reasons for suspension of the surgeries (clinical causes, institutional or personal). RESULTS: We analyzed 2,965 scheduled cataract surgeries, with 650 cancellations (21.92%). The main reason for the suspension of the procedure was clinical causes (86.90%). The winter months had the highest suspension rates of cataract surgery. CONCLUSION: The cancellation rate of cataract surgery in Brazilian public system seems to be the same as 10 years ago. The main cause of the suspension should be in clinical conditions (hypertension, diabetes, lack of exams, etc.).

Facoemulsificação versus extração extracapsular no sistema público de saúde: análise de custos para o hospital, para o governo e para a sociedade / Phacoemulsification versus extracapsular extraction on public health care system: cost analysis to the hospital, to the government and to the society

OBJETIVO: Comparar custos da cirurgia de catarata em larga escala para um hospital público, para o governo e para a sociedade, pelas técnicas de facoemulsificação (FACO) e extração extracapsular (EECP). MÉTODOS: Foi realizada revisão baseada principalmente em diversos estudos clínicos realizados entre 2002 e 2010, no Centro Cirúrgico Ambulatorial do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo. RESULTADOS: Os gastos estimados com os insumos utilizados para as cirurgias foram de R$ 468,92 no grupo FACO e R$ 259,96 no grupo EECP. As despesas hospitalares com o acompanhamento pós-operatório foram em média de R$ 16,40 (42%) menores no grupo FACO. Com relação ao gasto estimado para a Previdência Social, o grupo EECP custou em média, US$ 44,58 por paciente a mais que o grupo FACO. CONCLUSÃO: O incentivo e o investimento governamental para a realização da FACO no SUS são socialmente justificados, deve-se considerar também a economia dos pacientes e do sistema empresarial, bem como as vantagens clínicas para os pacientes e vantagens econômicas para os hospitais.

PURPOSE: To compare the costs of cataract surgery for a public hospital, the government and the society between the techniques of phacoemulsification (PHACO) and extracapsular cataract extraction (EECP). METHODS: A review based on several clinical studies between 2002 and 2010 at the Ambulatorial Surgical Center of the University of São Paulo. RESULTS: The estimated expenses associated with medical supplies used for surgery were R$ 468.92 and R$ 259.96 in the PHACO and EECP groups respectivelly. The hospital expenditures in the postoperative follow-up was approximately R$ 16.40 (42%) lower in the PHACO. Regarding the estimated spending for Social Security, the EECP group cost an average, US$ 44.58 per patient more than the PHACO group.

Effect of aspherical and yellow tinted intraocular lens on blue-on-yellow perimetry.

PURPOSE: To investigate the possible effect of aspherical or yellow tinted intraocular lens (IOL) on contrast sensitivity and blue-on-yellow perimetry. METHODS: This prospective randomized bilateral double-masked clinical study included 52 patients with visually significant bilateral cataracts divided in two groups; 25 patients (50 eyes) received aspherical intraocular lens in one eye and spherical intraocular lens in the fellow eye; and 27 patients (54 eyes) received ultraviolet and blue light filter (yellow tinted) IOL implantation in one eye and acrylic ultraviolet filter IOL in the fellow eye. The primary outcome measures were contrast sensitivity and blue-on-yellow perimetry values (mean deviation [MD] and pattern standard deviation [PSD]) investigated two years after surgery. The results were compared intra-individually. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant between-group (aspherical and spherical intraocular lens) difference in contrast sensitivity under photopic conditions at 12 cycles per degree and under mesopic conditions at all spatial frequencies. There were no between-group significant differences (yellow tinted and clear intraocular lens) under photopic or mesopic conditions. There was no statistically significant difference between all intraocular lens in MD or PSD. CONCLUSION: Contrast sensitivity was better under mesopic conditions with aspherical intraocular lens. Blue-on-yellow perimetry did not appear to be affected by aspherical or yellow tinted intraocular lens. Further studies with a larger sample should be carried out to confirm or not that hypotheses.

[Cancellation of cataract surgery in a public hospital]. / Cancelamento de cirurgias de catarata em um hospital público de referência.

PURPOSE: To report the incidence and causes of cataract surgery cancellations in a public hospital. METHODS: This is a retrospective study, which examined the number of cancellations of cataract surgery during 2009. We analyzed the type of procedure suspended (phacoemulsification or extracapsular extraction), type of anesthesia, gender, age, covenant (public/private) and the main reasons for suspension of the surgeries (clinical causes, institutional or personal). RESULTS: We analyzed 2,965 scheduled cataract surgeries, with 650 cancellations (21.92%). The main reason for the suspension of the procedure was clinical causes (86.90%). The winter months had the highest suspension rates of cataract surgery. CONCLUSION: The cancellation rate of cataract surgery in Brazilian public system seems to be the same as 10 years ago. The main cause of the suspension should be in clinical conditions (hypertension, diabetes, lack of exams, etc.).

Perfil do paciente com ceratopatia bolhosa pós-facectomia atendidos em hospital público / Profile of patient with aphakic/pseudopfakic bullous keratopaty attended at public hospital

Objetivo: Identificar e analisar criticamente o perfil dos pacientes com ceratopatia bolhosa atendidos em um hospital municipal. Métodos: Foi realizada análise retrospectiva de 35 olhos de 35 pacientes em acompanhamento no setor de córnea e doenças externas do Hospital da Piedade, que apresentavam ceratopatia bolhosa pós-facectomia. Foram excluídos aqueles onde não se conseguiu determinar características pré e per-operatórias fundamentais em nossa pesquisa. Esta seleção de pacientes foi realizada durante o período de janeiro de 2007 a junho de 2007. Resultados: Como principais resultados observou-se que a ceratopatia bolhosa ocorreu em 22.86% (8 olhos) dos casos pós-facectomia extracapsular (FEC) e 74.28% (26 olhos) pós- facoemulsificação. Em 25.71% (9 olhos) foi documentado rotura de cápsula posterior (RCP) com perda vítrea. Em 94.29% (33 olhos) a lente intraocular se localizava na câmara posterior, e dois pacientes estavam afácicos. A acuidade visual de todos os pacientes era pior que 20/200. O tempo médio de evolução entre a facectomia e o diagnostico de ceratopatia bolhosa foi 11,93 meses (1 - 44 meses). Conclusão: A análise adequada do endotélio corneano é condição essencial para o sucesso da cirurgia de catarata com transparência corneal, e que a ceratopatia bolhosa parece estar mais associada à facoemulsificação. Esta informação deve ser interpretada com cautela, já que esta relação pode vir do maior numero de facoemulsificações realizadas no Hospital onde foi realizado o estudo e muitas destas por cirurgiões em treinamento.

Objective: Analyze and identify critically the profile of patients with aphakic/pseudophakic bullous keratopathy attended at a public hospital. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 35 eyes of 35 patients with diagnosis of bullous keratopathy, which has been followed in the department of cornea and external diseases of Hospital da Piedade. The one whose pre and per operative data we did not find were excluded. This selection of patients was done from January to June of 2007. Results: As main results we found that bullous keratopathy occurred in 22.86% (8 eyes) of cases after extracapsular phakectomy and 74.28% (26 eyes) after phacoemulsification. Rupture of posterior capsule and vitreous loss was documented in 25.71% (9 eyes). In 94.29% (33eyes) the intraocular lenses was in posterior chamber, and two patients were aphakic. The visual acuity of all patients was worse than 20/200. The mean time from phakectomy to diagnosis of bullous keratopathy was 11.93 months (1-44 months). Conclusion: Adequate analysis of corneal endothelium is an essential condition to obtain success of cataract surgery with corneal transparency, and bullous keratopathy seems to be more related to phacoemulsification. That should be read with caution since this relation may occur because of the higher number of phacoemulsifications that are practiced in that Hospital where the study was conducted and many of them was performed by training surgeons.

Facectomia na infância: quem são nossos pacientes? / Phakectomy in childhood: who are our patients?

OBJETIVO: Analisar o perfil dos pacientes até 10 anos de idade, submetidos à facectomia no setor de catarata do Hospital da Piedade, determinando as principais indicações, perfil sócioeconômico e características pré-natais nos casos relevantes. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados retrospectivamente, os dados de 60 pacientes com até 10 anos de idade, submetidos à lensectomia, dentro do período de janeiro de 2006 a dezembro de 2007. Todas as cirurgias foram realizadas no setor de catarata do Hospital da Piedade, pelo mesmo cirurgião. Os responsáveis pelas crianças foram submetidos a questionário. RESULTADOS: Dos 60 pacientes, 25 eram do sexo feminino (42 por cento) e 35 do sexo masculino (58 por cento). 42 pacientes (70 por cento) apresentavam o diagnóstico de catarata congênita, 8 (13 por cento) tinham subluxação de cristalino e 10 (17 por cento) foram submetidos à lensectomia devido à baixa da acuidade visual associada à catarata traumática. Entre as mães dos pacientes com catarata congênita, 40 (95 por cento) realizaram pré natal com mais de 5 consultas, destas 9 mães (22,5 por cento) foram infectadas pelo vírus da rubéola durante a gestação. Nos casos referentes à subluxação todos os 8 apresentavam síndrome de Marfan. Os 10 casos de trauma foram em meninos. CONCLUSÕES: Foi possível verificar que a grande maioria de nossos pacientes submetidos à facectomia apresentava catarata congênita e um número relevante dos casos encontrava-se ainda relacionado à rubéola. É fundamental diminuir o tempo entre a suspeita diagnóstica e o atendimento especializado, favorecendo o prognóstico visual dessas crianças.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the profile of the patients who were submitted to phakectomy at the cataract service of the Hospital da Piedade, under the age of 10 years old, evaluating the main indications, the socioeconomic and gestational profiles in the relevant cases. METHODS: Data of 60 patients under the age of 10 years old submitted to lensectomy, were retrospectively analyzed, during the period between January of 2006 and December of 2007. All the surgeries were performed at the cataract service of the Hospital da Piedade, by the same surgeon. RESULTS: Of the 60 patients, 25 were female (42 percent) and 35 were male (58 percent). 42 patients (70 percent) had the diagnostic of congenital cataract, 8 (13 percent) had subluxated lens and 10 (17 percent) had lensectomy for traumatic cataract. Considering congenital cataract patient's mothers, 40 (95 percent) underwent prenatal exams with more than 5 appointments, 9 (22.5 percent) of them were infected by rubella virus during the pregnancy. In subluxation cases, 8 had Marfan's syndrome. 10 cases of trauma occurred in boys. CONCLUSION: It was possible to verify that the majority of our patients submitted to phakectomy had congenital cataract and there is an important number of cases that still associated to rubella. Decreasing time since the suspect until the specialized consultation, will improve the visual prognosis of the children.

Lentes asféricas: avaliação da indicação clínica e das opções de lentes / Aspherical IOLs: clinical evaluation and options

Com a utilização de lentes intraoculares (LIOs) asféricas na cirurgia de catarata, o oftalmologista é capaz de oferecer, além da melhora da acuidade visual pela remoção do cristalino opacificado, benefícios adicionais como, por exemplo, a redução de aberrações ópticas oculares, que diminuem a sensibilidade ao contraste.Foram revisadas publicações recentes sobre LIOs asféricas e adicionadas conclusões de nossos estudos na área, a fim de expor neste artigo nossa percepção a respeito da influência da utilização de LIOs que diminuem a aberração esférica do olho, na qualidade visual após a cirurgia da catarata.

With aspherical intraocular lens (IOL), phakectomy could be more than removal of cataract, it also could means an improvement in optical quality of the eye. In this article, recently published studies on aspherical IOLs and exams to access optical quality were reviewed.

Tendências evolutivas dos cirurgiões de catarata presentes no IV Congresso Brasileiro de Catarata e Cirurgia Refrativa / Evolutionary trends of cataract surgeons who attended the IV Brazilian Congress of Cataract and Refractive Surgery

OBJETIVO:Dar continuidade ao processo de atualização e aperfeiçoamento da cirurgia de catarata no Brasil, além de obter dados para uma análise comparativa das atuais tendências cirúrgicas nacionais e internacionais. MÉTODOS:Em maio de 2007, foram obtidos dados de 188 participantes de um congresso de Catarata e Cirurgia Refrativa através questionários autoaplicáveis, contendo perguntas objetivas a respeito da cirurgia de catarata. Análise estatística foi feita através teste T e Qui-quadrado. RESULTADOS: Observou-se que 95,8 por cento dos participantes praticam a facoemulsificação, enquanto somente 4,2 por cento preferem usar a técnica extracapsular convencional. Para 73,4 por cento dos participantes, o bloqueio peribulbar é preferido em relação ao uso de anestésico tópico (20,2 por cento). A técnica de facoemulsificação mais realizada é a de dividir e conquistar (32,0 por cento). A hidroximetilcelulose foi o viscoelástico de escolha para 60,8 por cento dos colaboradores. O aparelho de facoemulsificação mais usado pelos participantes foi o Infiniti® (24,0 por cento), seguido pelo Legacy® (19,8 por cento). CONCLUSÃO:Os resultados deste estudo foram consistentes com o que era esperado, tendo como base pesquisas semelhantes. Destaca-se um aumento considerável do número cirurgiões adeptos à facoemulsificação e tendências no sentido de maior utilização de incisões corneanas temporais e anestesia tópica.

Purpose: To continue the updating and improving process of the cataract surgery in Brazil, through recently pulled out and documented registries. In addition, we want to obtain data for a comparative analysis of the current national and international surgical trends. METHODS:In May 2007, data were obtained from 188 participants of a Congress of Cataract and Refrative Surgery who answered simple and multiple-response questions about cataract surgery. Data were analyzed by statistic means of Chi-square test and T test. RESULTS:95.8 percent of respondents practice phacoemulsification, while only 4.2 percent perform the conventional planned extracapsular cataract extraction. For 73.4 percent of respondents, the periocular block is preferred instead of topical anesthesia (20.2 percent). The most practiced phacoemulsification technique is the 4-section divide and conquer (32.0 percent). The hidroximetilcelulosis is the ophthalmic viscosurgical device chosen by 60.8 percent of respondents. The most used phaco machine is Infiniti® (24.0 percent), followed by Legacy® (19.8 percent). CONCLUSION: According to this paper is possible to suggest a tendency to high the surgeons who practice clear corneal incision and topical anesthesia. Besides that it was possible to suggest that in ten years the phacoemulsification seems to be consolidated as the surgeons's procedure of choice.

Mini-rhexis for white intumescent cataracts

PURPOSE: To compare the intraoperative safety of two techniques of capsulorhexis for intumescent white cataracts: traditional one-stage continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis and two-stage continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis. METHODS: This prospective comparative randomized study included two groups: the 1-CCC group (11 patients) received traditional one-stage continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis with 5-6 mm diameter, and the 2-CCC (13 patients) group received a deliberately small continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis that was secondarily enlarged, or a two-stage continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis. Patients were stratified according to cataract subset, which was characterized echographically. Six patients were considered as type 1, fifteen as type 2 and three as type 3. Type 1 included intumescent white cataracts with cortex liquefaction and extensive internal acoustic reflections, type 2 included white cataracts with voluminous nuclei, a small amount of whitish solid cortex, and minimal internal acoustic reflections, and type 3 included white cataracts with fibrous anterior capsules and few internal echo spikes. RESULTS: With the one-stage technique, 46.15 percent of patients had leakage of the liquefied cortex; in addition, the surgeon perceived high intracapsular pressure in 61.53 percent of cases. Anterior capsule tears occurred in 23.07 percent of cases, discontinuity of capsulorhexis in 30.79 percent of cases and no posterior capsular rupture occurred. With the two-stage technique, leakage of the liquefied cortex occurred in 45.45 percent of cases; additionally, the surgeon perceived high intracapsular pressure in 36.36 percent of cases. No anterior capsule tears, discontinuity of capsulorhexis or posterior capsular rupture occurred. Considering each cataract subset, there was a higher incidence of leakage for type 2 as compared to types 1 and 3. CONCLUSIONS: Two-stage continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis helps prevent unexpected ...

A contralateral eye study comparing apodized diffrative and full diffrative lenses: wavefront analysis and distance and near uncorrected visual acuity

PURPOSE: To evaluate intraindividual visual acuity, wavefront errors and modulation transfer functions in patients implanted with two diffractive multifocal intraocular lenses. METHODS: This prospective study examined 40 eyes of 20 cataract patients who underwent phacoemulsification and implantation of a spherical multifocal ReSTOR intraocular lens in one eye and an aspheric Tecnis ZM900 multifocal intraocular lens in the other eye. The main outcome measures, over a 3-month follow-up period, were the uncorrected photopic distance and near visual acuity and the defocus curve. The visual acuity was converted to logMAR for statistical analysis and is presented in decimal scale. The wavefront error and modulation transfer function were also evaluated in both groups. RESULTS: At the 3-month postoperative visit, the mean photopic distance uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was 0.74 ± 0.20 in the ReSTOR group and 0.76 ± 0.22 in the Tecnis group (p=0.286). The mean near UCVA was 0.96 ± 0.10 in the ReSTOR group and 0.93 ± 0.14 in the Tecnis group (p=0.963). The binocular defocus curve showed measurements between the peaks better than 0.2 logMAR. The total aberration, higher-order aberration and coma aberration were not significantly different between the groups. The spherical aberration was significantly lower in the Tecnis group than in the ReSTOR group. (p=0.004). Both groups performed similarly for the modulation transfer function. CONCLUSION: The ReSTOR SN60D3 and Tecnis ZM 900 intraocular lenses provided similar photopic visual acuity at distance and near. The diffractive intraocular lenses studied provided a low value of coma and spherical aberrations, with the Tecnis intraocular lens having a statistically lower spherical aberration compared to the ReSTOR intraocular lens. In the 5 mm pupil diameter analyses, both intraocular lens groups showed similar modulation transfer functions.

[Contribution of 820 nm optical coherence tomography in granular corneal dystrophy: case report]. / Contribuição da tomografia de coerência óptica de 820 nm na distrofia granular corneana: relato de caso.

The purpose of this case report is to correlate clinical features of granular dystrophy using 820 nm optical coherence tomography (OCT) in order to determine the depth of intrastromal corneal deposits. We report a case of a 38-year-old man with granular dystrophy. After complete ophthalmologic examination the patient was submitted to OCT, using the Stratus OCT III, originally proposed for studying disorders of the posterior segment. Best-corrected visual acuity was 20/50 in both eyes. Biomicroscopy revealed bilateral "snowflake"opacities in different levels of the stromal layer. OCT disclosed multiple hiperreflective dots in anterior and deeper stromal layers. It was possible to assess the morphology of the cornea and to determine the depth of the corneal deposits with serial cross-sectional OCT scans using the Stratus OCT III.

Contribuição da tomografia de coerência óptica de 820 nm na distrofia granular corneana: relato de caso / Contribution of 820 nm optical coherence tomography in granular corneal dystrophy: case report

O objetivo deste trabalho é correlacionar os dados clínicos de um caso de distrofia granular com o exame de tomografia de coerência óptica (OCT) de 820 nm de modo a determinar o nível intra-estromal dos depósitos corneanos. É relatado um caso de distrofia granular em paciente de 38 anos do sexo masculino. Foi realizado exame oftalmológico completo e OCT para documentação do caso. O aparelho utilizado foi o Stratus OCT III, originalmente desenvolvido para avaliação do segmento posterior. A acuidade visual corrigida foi de 20/50 em ambos os olhos. À biomicroscopia, foram observadas opacidades em "floco de neve" em diferentes níveis do estroma corneano bilateral e de forma simétrica. A avaliação pelo OCT revelou múltiplos pontos hiperreflectivos nas camadas superficiais e profundas do estroma. Foi possível acessar a anatomia morfológica da córnea através de cortes seriados realizados pelo Stratus OCT III e confirmar a profundidade dos depósitos corneanos.

The purpose of this case report is to correlate clinical features of granular dystrophy using 820 nm optical coherence tomography (OCT) in order to determine the depth of intrastromal corneal deposits. We report a case of a 38-year-old man with granular dystrophy. After complete ophthalmologic examination the patient was submitted to OCT, using the Stratus OCT III, originally proposed for studying disorders of the posterior segment. Best-corrected visual acuity was 20/50 in both eyes. Biomicroscopy revealed bilateral "snowflake"opacities in different levels of the stromal layer. OCT disclosed multiple hiperreflective dots in anterior and deeper stromal layers. It was possible to assess the morphology of the cornea and to determine the depth of the corneal deposits with serial cross-sectional OCT scans using the Stratus OCT III.