Routine preoperative assessment for cataract surgery is a source of frustration for primary care providers.

BACKGROUND: Cataract surgery is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in older adults in the United States and is generally considered to be extremely low-risk. As of 2019, routine preoperative evaluation within 30 days of surgery is no longer mandated by the United States of America (USA) Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for ambulatory surgery centers, but it is unclear how primary care providers perceive this change. METHODS: We performed a qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews with six primary care providers to explore primary care providers' perspectives on routine preoperative assessment for cataract surgery. RESULTS: Primary care providers commented on the large number of referrals they receive for preoperative assessment before cataract procedures. The analysis revealed an overarching sentiment of resentment over the time, effort, and resources expended on these assessments. Themes included the lack of awareness of the updated regulations that no longer require a history and physical to be completed within 30 days and the perception of a universal lack of medical necessity to perform preoperative assessment for cataract surgery. Providers also commented on the strain on limited resources and the burden on patients. The relationship between specialties and professional roles emerged as another important theme. CONCLUSIONS: Referrals for preoperative clearance for cataract surgery continue to burden providers, patients, and the health system, and represent an opportunity to streamline care in this patient population.

Comparison of measurements and calculated lens power using three biometers: a Scheimpflug tomographer with partial coherence interferometry and two swept source optical coherence tomographers.

PURPOSE: To compare the biometric measurements obtained from the Pentacam AXL Wave, IOLMaster 700, and ANTERION and calculate the recommended intraocular lens power using the Barrett Formulae. METHODS: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of patients who underwent biometry using the Pentacam AXL Wave, IOLMaster 700, and ANTERION. Flat keratometry (K1), steep keratometry (K2), anterior chamber depth (ACD), and axial length (AL) from each device were measured and compared. These parameters were used to calculate the recommended IOL powers using the Barrett formula. RESULTS: The study included 252 eyes of 153 patients. The IOLMaster had the highest acquisition rate among the two biometers. The Pentacam obtained the shortest mean AL, the IOLMaster measured the highest mean keratometry values, and the ANTERION measured the highest mean ACD. In terms of pairwise comparisons, keratometry and axial length were not significantly different between the Pentacam-IOLMaster and ANTERION-IOLMaster groups, while the rest of the pairwise comparisons were statistically significant. In nontoric and toric eyes, 35-45% of patients recommended the same sphere of IOL power. In another 30-40%, the Pentacam and ANTERION recommended an IOL power one step greater than that of the IOLMaster-derived data. 50% of the study population recommended the same toric-cylinder IOL power. CONCLUSIONS: The Pentacam AXL Wave, IOLMaster 700, and ANTERION can reliably provide data for IOL power calculations; however, these data are not interchangeable. In nontoric and toric eyes, 35-45% of cases recommended the same sphere IOL power, and in another 30-40%, the Pentacam and ANTERION recommended one-step higher IOL power than the IOLMaster-derived data. In targeting emmetropia, selecting the first plus IOL power is advisable when using the Pentacam and ANTERION to approximate the IOL power calculations recommended by the IOLMaster 700.

Single-piece Foldable Intraocular Lenses versus Three-piece Intraocular Lenses in the Sulcus following Posterior Capsular Rupture in a Philippine Tertiary Hospital.

Objective: Successful intraocular lens (IOL) placement in cataract surgery is synonymous with the IOL being placed in the capsular bag. When the capsular bag is violated, the ciliary sulcus becomes an option to approximate an in- the-bag position. Studies report that single-piece foldable acrylic (SPA) IOLs are a poor choice for the sulcus. This study aimed to report the visual outcomes and complications of sulcus placement of single-piece intraocular lenses and three-piece intraocular lenses, and compare the design and characteristics to the occurrences of complications. Methods: The medical records of patients were retrospectively reviewed in a single center from 2016-2019. Results: A total of 245 eyes from 237 patients were included in the study with a mean age of 61 years and male predominance. Majority of sulcus implantation occurred during phacoemulsification (87%). Around 82% (n=202) were implanted with single-piece IOLs and 18% (n=43) were three-piece IOLs. Best corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA) was 20/20 after six months for both groups. Comparison between two groups showed no superiority with each other. Complications notable were elevated intraocular pressure, corneal edema, loss of IOL centration, and pigment dispersion. Smaller optic diameter and overall length predispose to higher probabilities of loss of centration. Pliability, hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity, and material do not correlate with postoperative complications. There were significantly higher numbers of pigment dispersions in IOLs with square-edged design. Conclusions: In conclusion, visual outcomes remain equally excellent for both single-piece and three-piece groups. In contrast, there were more notable complications in single-piece group. Loss of centration tends to occur more with mean optic diameters lower than or equal to 5.50 mm and an overall length of less than 12.50 mm or lower. While appropriate for the capsular bag, square-edged designs were found to be inappropriate for the sulcus. The retrospective design does not allow strong inferences hence caution should be taken in correlating results.

A randomized control study on post-operative iris distortion following small-pupil cataract surgery using B-HEX pupil expander versus Malyugin ring.

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate postoperative pupil distortion following small pupil cataract surgeries performed using B-HEX and Malyugin rings (MR). Methods: A randomized control trial was conducted from June 2020 to June 2023 at a tertiary eye-care hospital. The study consisted of 64 participants for cataract surgery with small pupil. There were two groups, one undergoing surgery with the use of B-HEX pupil expander and other with MR intraoperatively and the rest of the surgery was proceeded as per the convention. Areas of preoperative and postoperative images was calculated, put into an online software and pupil distortion was calculated in percentage. Two-tailed t-test was used to see the difference between the two groups. Results: Mean age at presentation was 70.5 ± 10.12 years. Most common cause for small pupil was tamsulosin therapy. Mean size of small-pupil was 3.0 ± 1.1 mm. With the application of two rings, mean pupillary area preoperatively was 4178.23 ± 1589.46 and postoperatively was 6100.44 ± 2658.28 following the use of MR, respectively and 30,002.93 ± 13,193.40 preoperatively and 37,648.26 ± 15,207.01 postoperatively following the use of B-Hex ring respectively. Comparing baseline area from pupillary area at 1-month follow-up, a significant increase was noted for both the rings. Also, MR caused significantly more pupillary distortion compared to B-HEX ring (p < 0.05). Conclusion: MR causes significantly more pupillary distortion in the postoperative period compared to B-HEX ring. Though, both the rings cause pupillary distortion, these devices expand the surgical area adequately, ease the procedure, decrease risk of complications achieving good functional visual outcomes.

The Mid-Term Effect of Preservative-Free Artificial Tears Containing Hyaluronic Acid on Dry Eye Incidence after Cataract Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

The aim of this study is to survey the effectiveness of preservative-free artificial tears containing hyaluronic acid (HA) on post-cataract surgery dry eye disease (DED) prevention. A retrospective cohort study was performed, and patients that received cataract surgeries were divided into either an HA group or non-HA group depending on the artificial tear they used. A total of 37 and 74 eyes were enrolled into the HA and non-HA groups, respectively, after the selection. The primary outcomes are postoperative superficial keratitis and multiple (>3) DED symptoms. The generalized linear model was utilized to calculate the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of primary outcomes between the two groups. There were 10 and 2 episodes of superficial keratitis in the non-HA group and HA group, respectively, and the HA group demonstrated a significantly lower incidence of superficial keratitis (p < 0.001). Moreover, 13 and 5 patients developed multiple DED symptoms in the non-HA and HA groups, and the HA group illustrated fewer multiple DED symptoms (p = 0.024). The lower preoperative tear break-up time (TBUT) was correlated with superficial keratitis in the HA group (p = 0.043), while old age, low preoperative TBUT and ocular surface staining were associated with superficial keratitis in the non-HA group (all p < 0.05). Lower preoperative TBUT was correlated with multiple DED symptoms in the HA group (p = 0.020), while female sex, low preoperative TBUT and any DED symptoms were associated with multiple DED symptoms in the non-HA group (all p < 0.05). In conclusion, the usage of preservative-free artificial tears containing HA is associated with lower postoperative DED events.

Comparing clinical outcomes of trifocal intraocular lens in patients with and without prior history of laser in situ keratomileusis for myopia.

BACKGROUND: To compare clinical outcomes of trifocal intraocular lens in patients with and without prior history of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). METHODS: A retrospective study included patients who underwent bilateral cataract surgery and PanOptix trifocal intraocular lens (IOLs) implantation. Patients were grouped: Group A for patients with history of LASIK and Group B for patients without history of LASIK. Postoperative outcome measures comprised distance, intermediate, and near visual acuity, manifest refraction, defocus curve, contrast sensitivity, visual quality, patient satisfaction, and the rate of spectacle independence. RESULTS: A total of 288 eyes (144 patients) were included: 132 eyes in Group A and 156 eyes in Group B. At 6 months post-surgery, patients of both groups achieved a continuous satisfying visual acuity from 33 cm to distance. 73% of eyes in Group A and 75% of eyes in Group B were within ± 0.50 D of emmetropia (P > 0.05). The percentages of eyes within ± 1.00 D of emmetropia were 98% for Group A and 96% for Group B (P > 0.05). The total scores of satisfaction were 52.58 ± 3.46 for Group A and 53.23 ± 3.46 for Group B (P > 0.05). Most of patients (98% for Group A, 99% for Group B) were able to be spectacle independence for daily living. 53% of patients in Group A and 51% in Group B experiencd mild to moderate negative visual symptoms, which made it a little or moderate difficult to drive at night. CONCLUSIONS: Cataract patients with and without history of LASIK could safely undergo implantation of the PanOptix IOLs, which results in precise refractive outcomes and satisfactory visual acuity. Although contrast sensitivity decreased and some negative visual symptoms were observed, patients' satisfaction was generally high due to the high rate of spectacles independence. There were no statistically significant differences between the study groups.

Ultrasound biomicroscopy in dogs suggests postoperative ocular hypertension may be associated with ciliary cleft changes related to cataract surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether novel pre- and postsurgical ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) measurements of the canine ciliary cleft (CC) are associated with postoperative ocular hypertension (POH) following cataract surgery and to explore the relationship between intraocular pressure and CC UBM measurements. METHODS: Following pharmacologic mydriasis, UBM images were obtained from 31 client-owned dogs before elective cataract surgery, immediately postsurgery, and 4 to 6 hours following surgery or while experiencing POH ≥ 25 mm Hg. Presurgery and the pre- to postsurgery change in CC measurements were assessed for association with POH using individual mixed-effects logistic regression models and forward variable selection models. Linear mixed-effects models were used to evaluate the relationship of intraocular pressure to UBM measurements within the same eye across multiple time points. RESULTS: Presurgical measurements were not predictive of POH development. An increase in pectinate ligament distance and CC area from presurgical baseline to immediate postsurgical measurement was associated with reduced odds of developing POH, while increasing CC length (from apex to mid point on the pectinate ligament) from pre- to postsurgery and immature cataracts was associated with increased odds of POH. CONCLUSIONs: The change in CC morphology following cataract surgery appears more impactful in the development of POH than individual variations in presurgery CC measurements. Several changes in the CC dimensions following surgery appear associated with POH risk. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This understanding of a potential mechanism of POH development opens new avenues for researching preventative measures associated with modifying surgical techniques to influence CC morphology following cataract surgery.

Retrolental cohesive ophthalmic viscoelastic injection for severe subluxated cataracts: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: To assess anatomical and functional outcomes of retrolental cohesive ophthalmic viscoelastic injection ("Viscolift technique") in patients with severely subluxated cataracts. METHODS: In the present prospective study, we included patients older than 18 years with severely subluxated cataracts and phacodonesis. Full medical history was obtained at the baseline ophthalmological assessment. A single 25-gauge valved trocar was inserted 4 mm from the limbus and a 27G angled cannula was introduced through the trocar into the retrolental space, while cohesive viscoelastic was progressively injected, in order to center and elevate the cataract to facilitate capsulorhexis. After complete phacoemulsification, a 3-piece intraocular lens (IOL) with a scleral fixated Cionni ring or FIL-SSF scleral fixated IOL was implanted. Patients follow-up interval was 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: Thirteen eyes of 13 patients were enrolled in the study, mean age was 61.5 ± 9.4 years and 53.8% were females. The "Viscolift technique" resulted in centered and more stable cataracts in all cases (100%). After complete phacoemulsification, 61.5% of patients were implanted with a 3-piece IOL with Cionni ring, and 38.5% with a FIL-SSF scleral fixated IOL after complete 25G vitrectomy. Mean BCVA improved from 0.5 ± 0.1 LogMar (20/63 Snellen) to 0.1 ± 0.1 LogMar (20/25 Snellen) (p < 0.001) at the last follow-up. No major complications were noted. CONCLUSIONS: The "Viscolift technique" proved to be a safe and effective surgical approach for recentering and elevating subluxated cataracts, thus allowing the surgeon to perform an easier and better-centered capsulorhexis.

Utilization of Ophthalmic Technology and Advances in Endothelial Keratoplasty: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: The authors report a case of a 65-year-old male with corneal decompensation associated with poor vision with a recent history of cataract surgery. CASE PRESENTATION: A patient presented with complaints of poor vision in the left eye. The patient had undergone phacoemulsification surgery 4 months prior to presentation. The presenting best corrected vision was 20/400 in the left eye with the presence of corneal edema and central Descemet's membrane detachment (DMD) extending to the inferior two-thirds of the cornea with a fibrotic demarcation line separating detached Descemet's from intact, attached Descemet's. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) confirmed the diagnosis of Type 1 DMD. The patient was managed with femtosecond laser-assisted descematorrhexis with intraoperative AS-OCT, and a ready preloaded Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty graft. CONCLUSIONS: This report emphasizes that many technological advancements in the field can be employed to improve the outcomes of endothelial keratoplasty, especially when fibrosis is associated with the combined PDL and DMD.

Comparative Analysis of Refractive Outcomes Following Cataract Surgery Using IOL Master 500 and IOL Master 700 Biometry Devices: A Retrospective Analysis.

Background: This study aims to compare the refractive outcomes of cataract surgery using two different biometry devices, the IOL Master 500 and IOL Master 700, and to investigate the influence of patient-related factors on these outcomes. Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed data from 2994 eyes that underwent cataract surgery. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to examine the impact of the biometry device (IOL Master 500 or IOL Master 700), patient age, time elapsed between biometry and surgery, gender, and insurance status, as well as biometric parameters (anterior chamber depth, axial length, and corneal curvature), on postoperative refractive outcomes, specifically the deviation from target refraction. Results: The choice of the IOL Master device did not result in a statistically significant difference between the two devices (p = 0.205). Age (p = 0.006) and gender (p = 0.001) were identified as significant predictors of refractive outcomes, with older patients and males experiencing slightly more hyperopic outcomes compared to younger patients and females, respectively. The time elapsed between biometry and surgery and insurance status did not significantly influence the refractive outcomes. Conclusions: Our study, supported by a large cohort and a diverse group of patients representing typical anatomical variants seen in cataract surgery, supports the thesis that the IOL Master 500 and IOL Master 700 can be regarded as equivalent and effective for biometry in cataract surgery. The differences between the devices were negligible. Therefore, switching between the devices is safe for bilateral patients.

Innovations and Outcomes in Astigmatism Correction During Cataract Surgery: A Comprehensive Review.

Astigmatism, a prevalent refractive error caused by an irregular curvature of the cornea or lens, can significantly affect visual acuity and the quality of life. Correcting astigmatism during cataract surgery is essential for achieving optimal postoperative visual outcomes. This comprehensive review examines recent innovations in astigmatism correction methods and their impact on cataract surgery. It provides an in-depth analysis of advancements such as toric intraocular lenses (IOLs), femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS), and new IOL technologies designed to address astigmatism with greater precision. The review also evaluates clinical outcomes, including visual acuity improvements, patient satisfaction, and safety considerations associated with these innovations. Additionally, it explores the cost-effectiveness of various techniques and highlights emerging trends and future directions in the field. By synthesizing current evidence, this review aims to offer valuable insights for clinicians and inform best practices in astigmatism management during cataract surgery.

A novel method to optimize personal IOL constants.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a novel method called 'three variable optimization' that entails a process of doing just one calculation to zero out the mean prediction error of an entire dataset (regardless of size), using only 3 variables: 1) the constant used, 2) the average intraocular lens (IOL) power and 3) the average PE. DESIGN: Development, evaluation, and testing of a method to optimize personal IOL constants. METHODS: A dataset of 876 eyes was used as a training set, and another dataset of 1,079 eyes was used to test the method. The Barrett Universal II, Cooke K6, Haigis, RBF 3.0, Hoffer Q, Holladay 1, Holladay 2, SRK/T and T2 were analyzed. The same dataset was also divided into 3 subgroups (short, medium and long eyes). The three variable optimization process was applied to each dataset and subset, and the obtained optimized constants were then used to obtain the mean PE of each dataset. We then compared those results with those obtained by zeroing out the mean PE in the classical method. RESULTS: The three variable optimization showed similar results to classical optimization with less data needed to optimize and no clinically significant difference. Dividing the dataset into subsets of short, medium and long eyes, also shows that the method is useful even in those situations. Finally, the method was tested in multiple formulas and it was able to reduce the PE with no clinical significant difference from classical optimization. CONCLUSION: This method could then be applied by surgeons to optimize their constants by reducing the mean prediction error to zero without prior technical knowledge and it is available online for free at http://wwww.ioloptimization.com.

Collaborative robot acting as scrub nurse for cataract surgery (CRASCS).

Worldwide, healthcare systems are struggling to tackle a nursing shortage. As per the data released by the American Hospital Association, the healthcare workforce could face a loss of around 5 lakh nurses by the end of the year. Consequently, it could result in those deficiencies, which will be 1.1 million instead of 0.6 million. The current nursing scenario in India as per the Indian Nursing Council (INC), which is a board under the ministry and is responsible for legally confirming and maintaining universal standardized training for nursing, is that the 1.96 nurses out of every 1000 Indians that are there are much behind the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended figure of 3 nurses per 1000. To mitigate the nurse shortage, a collaborative robotic system was designed that can assist with surgical procedures with a collaborative robot acting as a scrub nurse for cataract surgery (CRASCS) represented in Fig. 1. Accordingly, the model has been built to empower a customized 3d printed 5-Degree of freedom robotic arm by tracking the phase of surgery in real-time and automatically supplying the clinician with the ideal equipment that is needed for the particular phase of surgery. The system is supported with one more model which can identify where the surgical equipment is located within the arm range. The system is also supported with voice commands which help in picking up the right surgical equipment in the middle of any phase of the surgery. In this way, the system could be able to potentially handle the shortage of surgical nurses around the world and benefit humanity.

Examining the Impact of Certificate of Need Laws on the Utilization and Reimbursement of Cataract Surgeries Among Medicare Beneficiaries.

Background: Cataract surgery is an effective and commonly utilized procedure and can significantly improve quality of life and restore economic productivity. Certificate of need (CON) laws aim to regulate healthcare facility expansion and equipment acquisition to curtail costs, enhance quality, and ensure equitable access to care. However, little is known about the impact of CON laws on cataract surgery utilization and reimbursement. Objectives: To compare utilization and reimbursement for non-complex cataract surgery in CON and non-CON states. Methods: This retrospective database review analyzed publicly available data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services from 2017 to 2021 to identify the Medicare beneficiaries who underwent non-complex cataract surgery using Current Procedural Terminology code 66984 in Medicare outpatient hospitals. Utilization and reimbursement patterns were analyzed in states with and without CON laws using the compound annual growth rate, with reimbursement adjusted by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index. Results: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reported 893 682 non-complex cataract surgeries in the study period; of these, 609 237 were in CON and 280 215 in non-CON states. Inflation-adjusted reimbursement increased in both CON (1.17%) and non-CON (1.83%) states, while the reimbursement in non-CON states was greater than the national average adjusted reimbursement (1.67%). Utilization of non-complex cataract surgery declined during the study period in both CON and non-CON states. A larger decline in utilization was observed in CON states (-7.32%) than in non-CON states (-6.49%). Utilization was slightly higher in non-CON than in CON states for each year except 2019. Discussion: Utilization of non-complex cataract surgery by Medicare beneficiaries declined over the study period in both CON and non-CON states, possibly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Inflation-adjusted reimbursement adjusted for Consumer Price Index increased more in non-CON than CON states, possibly reflecting shifts in market dynamics in CON-regulated states. Conclusions: Surgeons and policymakers should consider the implications of CON laws on the utilization and reimbursement of cataract surgery. Further study is necessary to ascertain whether these trends persist beyond 2021.

Comparison of iodine compounds and levofloxacin as postoperative instillation; conjunctival bacterial flora and antimicrobial susceptibility following cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To compare the cleanliness of the conjunctival sac following the use of iodine compounds (PAI) and levofloxacin as postoperative eye drops. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective open-label study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Either topical levofloxacin or fourfold-diluted PAI was administered for 1 week postoperatively in 128 eyes of 128 patients who underwent routine cataract surgery. Conjunctival samples were obtained at three time points: pre-surgery, 1 week postoperatively, and 1 month postoperatively. RESULTS: The respective positive bacterial culture rates for postoperative iodine and levofloxacin were 88.1% and 85.2% pre-surgery, 71.6% and 50.8% 1 week postoperatively, and 92.5% and 86.5% 1 month postoperatively. Positive bacterial culture rates in both groups significantly declined at 1 week, and the rates returned to the baseline level 1 month postoperatively. The magnitude of reduction of DNA copy number detected by polymerase chain reaction at 1 week was larger in the levofloxacin group, although no significant differences were seen at pre-surgery or 1 month postoperatively. In the levofloxacin group, only one strain was culture positive at 1 week, however, its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against S. epidermidis was high (128 µg/ml). The MIC value increased from 2.31 ± 2.19 µg/ml pre-surgery to 57.14 ± 22.34 µg/ml 1 month postoperatively, while no significant change was found in the iodine group. CONCLUSION: Postoperative iodine and levofloxacin eye drops both reduced bacterial contamination in the conjunctival sac, with a superior level of disinfection in the levofloxacin group. However, postoperative levofloxacin eye drops enhanced the emergence of highly resistant bacteria, whereas no such development was seen in the iodine group.

A survey of intraocular lens preferences of UK refractive surgeons for cataract surgery and refractive lens exchange.

BACKGROUND: To explore intraocular lens (IOL) preferences of United Kingdom-based (UK) refractive surgeons in cataract and refractive lens exchange (RLE) surgery. METHODS: An online survey on IOL preferences (and reasons for their choice) in cataract and RLE surgery was distributed. It also enquired about implementing mini-monovision with extended depth of field (EDoF) IOLs, about utilising IOL mix-and-match (different IOL types in each eye), and at what level of corneal astigmatism they prefer toric lenses. RESULTS: Following an 81.6% response rate, thirty responses were analysed; median years of refractive surgery experience was 12.5. The most popular IOL choices for cataract surgery were EDoF lenses (30%), monofocals (20%), and trifocals (20%). The most cited reason for each was better overall visual outcomes (88.9%), fewer unwanted symptoms (66.7%) and best spectacle independence (66.7%), respectively. For RLE, EDoF remained most popular (36.7%), followed by trifocals (30%), and multifocals (16.7%) with the same reasons for choice cited above. Mini-monovision with EDoF lenses was well-regarded (83% recommend for most/select patients), unlike utilising IOL mix-and-match (60% did not recommend). 40% prefer toric IOLs for astigmatism of 1 dioptre (D) or higher, whilst 30% opt for them at < 1D. CONCLUSIONS: Experienced UK refractive surgeons prefer newer IOLs with enhanced optics; ≥50% of respondents favoured either EDoF or trifocals for a 'typical' cataract or RLE patient. Notably, respondents have a low corneal astigmatism threshold for toric lenses. Mini-monovision with EDoF IOLs was well-regarded, whilst mix-and-match of different IOL types was less recommended.

Estimation of the Economic and Environmental Impact of Single-Use Instruments in Routine Cataract Surgery.

Purpose: To estimate the economic and environmental impact of single-use instruments (SUIs) to perform standard cataract surgery in six ophthalmology centers located in Europe and in the United States. Setting: Online survey and interview. Design: Comparative cost analysis based on an online survey with follow-up questionnaire and interview. The carbon footprint calculation was made by ClimatePartner. Methods: Annual costs of reusable instruments (RUIs) were calculated based on data provided by the centers. Annual costs of SUIs were estimated based on the average-selling price of a single-use cataract set of 5 instruments and the reported annual volume of cataract surgery. The calculation carbon footprint of a cataract instrument covered the whole life cycle from production to end-of-life. Results: Annual costs for SUIs were found inferior or similar to the annual costs for RUIs for 4 out of the 6 centers included in this study. The centers where SUIs were demonstrated to be the most cost-effective were also associated with the highest costs of sterilization per instrument. The carbon footprint of 5-years usage of a cataract instrument was found to be 5478.2 kg CO2 eq for SUIs without recycling, 4639.9 kg CO2 eq for SUIs with recycling and 20.6 kg CO2 eq for RUIs. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that SUIs can be an alternative solution to using RUIs in multispecialty hospitals associated with high sterilization costs.

Hydrodissection and femtosecond laser assisted surgery in posterior polar cataract.

PURPOSE: To present our clinical experience using femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) and cortical cleavage hydrodissection in eyes with posterior polar cataract. METHODS: Medical records of consecutive10 eyes of 6 patients with clinical diagnosis of posterior polar cataract (PPC), were retrospectively reviewed. All surgeries were done by using femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery. In all cases careful hydrodissection was done to separate the lens material from the posterior capsule. RESULTS: There were 3 males and 3 females, ages 39-73 years (average 52.5 years), two of them were implanted with toric lenses. In all eyes hydrodissection was successfully performed and the lens material was separated from the lens capsule. The posterior capsule remained intact during nucleus removal in all cases. In one eye the posterior capsule broke during cortical cleaning and the tear was converted to posterior capsulorhexis (PCCC). No postoperative complications were recorded during follow-up in all eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Hydrodissection can be safely performed in combination (but not exclusively) with FLACS, in eyes with posterior polar cataract with no evidence of a preexisting posterior capsule rent. Hydrodissection is regarded by most surgeons as contraindicated in these eyes however apparently it is more gentile to the capsule than any other surgical maneuver and allows clean and efficient separation of the lens material from the thinned posterior capsule. Femtosecond laser capsulotomy and lens fragmentation is effective and may further assist surgery by pneumo-separation of the lens material. Anterior chamber maintainer may further aid to the stability of the chamber and safety of surgery.

Evaluation of Two Artificial Tears Containing Hyaluronic Acid for Post Cataract Surgery Dry Eye Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: This study compared the efficacy of hydroxypropyl guar (HPG)/hyaluronic acid (HA) and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)/HA lubricant eye drops for post-cataract surgery dry eye disease (DED). METHODS: This was a prospective, open-label, assessor-masked, parallel, randomized controlled study. Seventy patients with DED who underwent cataract surgery were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive 1-2 drops of HPG/HA or CMC/HA lubricant four times daily for 3 weeks. Efficacy assessments included changes from baseline in corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) score, Ocular Surface Disease Index score, Schirmer's test score (without anesthesia), tear break-up time, and central corneal sensitivity at weeks 1 and 3. RESULTS: There were 35 patients in each group. The HPG/HA group demonstrated superior improvements in CFS scores (expressed as means and standard deviations) to the CMC/HA group at week 1 ( - 1.0 [1.7] vs. - 0.1 [1.7], p = 0.039) and demonstrated comparable results at week 3 ( - 1.6 [1.8] vs. - 1.3 [1.9], p = 0.552). No statistical differences were observed in other secondary outcomes between groups at weeks 1 and 3 (p > 0.05). Only one adverse event was reported in this study, which occurred in the HPG/HA group. The AE of ocular hypertension was mild, deemed unrelated to the study treatment, and resolved within a week. CONCLUSIONS: The HPG/HA lubricant eye drops resulted in greater CFS scores at 1 week after treatment compared with CMC/HA drops. The HPG/HA and CMC/HA drops were safe and well tolerated. GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT06221345.

An Analysis of Ocular Biometrics: A Comprehensive Retrospective Study in a Large Cohort of Pediatric Cataract Patients.

Objectives: This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of ocular biometric parameters in pediatric patients with cataracts to optimize surgical outcomes. By evaluating various biometric data, we seek to enhance the decision-making process for intraocular lens (IOL) placement, particularly with advanced technologies like femtosecond lasers. Methods: This retrospective comparative study included pediatric patients with cataracts who underwent ocular biometric measurements and cataract extraction with anterior vitrectomy at the Medical University of Vienna between January 2019 and December 2021. Parameters measured included corneal diameter (CD), axial length (AL), corneal thickness (CT) and flat and steep keratometry (Kf and Ks). The study explored the correlations between these parameters and IOL placement. Results: A total of 136 eyes from 68 pediatric patients were included in the study. Significant positive correlations were found between corneal diameter, age and AL. The mean CD was 11.4 mm, mean AL was 19.5 mm, CT was 581.2 ± 51.8 µm, Kf was 7.76 ± 0.55 mm and Ks 7.41 ± 0.59 mm, respectively. Older pediatric patients with larger corneal diameters and longer ALs were more likely to receive in-the-bag IOL implantation. Conversely, younger patients often required alternative IOL placements or remained aphakic. Our data indicated that over 95% of the study population and all patients aged one year and older had a corneal diameter of 10 mm or larger. Conclusions: Detailed ocular biometric analysis is crucial for optimizing both surgical outcomes and postoperative care in pediatric cataract patients. The positive correlations between CD, age and AL underline the importance of individualized surgical planning tailored to each patient's unique anatomical features. Additionally, our findings suggest that the use of a femtosecond laser is both feasible and safe for pediatric patients aged one year and older, potentially offering enhanced surgical precision and improved outcomes.