A Composite Risk Score for Capsule Complications Based on Data from the Swedish National Cataract Register: Relation to Surgery Volumes.

PURPOSE: To investigate case mix in relation to capsule complication, possible associations between case mix and operation volume, and change in case mix over time. DESIGN: Register-based study. PARTICIPANTS: Swedish patients who underwent cataract surgery between 2007 and 2016. METHODS: Demographics and data on ocular comorbidity, intraoperative difficulties, and capsule complications were registered from 2007 to 2016 and analyzed retrospectively in relation to coded data on individual surgeons' operation volume. Single factor analysis and logistic regression were performed, and a composite risk score was created. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Risk of capsule complication, given as adjusted and composite odds ratio in relation to cataract surgery volume. RESULTS: Preoperative and intraoperative variables significantly associated with capsule complications were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ≤0.1 (decimal, adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.82; P < 0.001); pseudoexfoliation (PEX) (aOR, 1.53; P < 0.001); sight-threatening ocular comorbidity other than age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, or cornea guttata (aOR, 1.35; P = 0.006); use of Trypan blue (aOR, 1.76; P < 0.001); mechanical pupil dilation (aOR, 1.36; P = 0.024); and iris hooks at the rhexis margin (aOR, 6.99; P < 0.001). The composite risk score was 3.09 ± 6.40 (mean ± standard deviation) for patients with capsule complication and 1.28 ± 1.66 for uncomplicated procedures (P < 0.001). High-volume cataract surgeons (≥500 procedures yearly) had a significantly lower composite risk score (mean risk score ≤1.28; range, 1.01-2.02) compared with low- and medium-volume cataract surgeons (1.34 ± 0.56; range, 1.00-4.55 and 1.49 ± 0.58; range, 1.01-5.19), respectively. During the period 2007-2016, the proportion of patients aged >88 years, patients with BCVA ≤0.1, and patients with intraoperative difficulties decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Case mix, as calculated from a composite risk score based on preoperative and intraoperative parameters registered in the National Cataract Register (NCR), may contribute to the decrease in capsule complications from 2007 to 2016 and the lower complication rate observed in cases managed by high-volume cataract surgeons.

Posterior Capsule Rupture during Cataract Surgery in Eyes Receiving Intravitreal anti-VEGF Injections.

PURPOSE: To examine the risk of posterior capsule rupture (PCR) during phacoemulsification cataract surgery in patients who received intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections prior to surgery. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of cataract surgeries at the Sue Anschutz-Rodgers UCHealth Eye Center from January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2018. The primary outcome was the occurrence of PCR during surgery. Other variables of interest included age, race, sex, ocular comorbidities, diabetes, mature cataract, primary surgeon, injection frequency and type, and date of most recent injection. Predictors of PCR were assessed using logistic regression with generalized estimating equations to account for correlation between patient eyes. Additional sub-analysis was performed on eyes with PCR with and without anti-VEGF injection history to compare intraoperative characteristics, post-operative complications, and visual outcomes. RESULTS: In total 10,327 cataract surgeries were included in the analysis, and 308 of these eyes received anti-VEGF injections prior to surgery. Of the 308 eyes that received anti-VEGF injections, eight (2.6%) had a PCR during surgery compared to 45 of 10,019 eyes (0.5%) that did not receive injections (unadjusted OR = 5.9, 95% CI: 2.8-12.7, p < .0001). Males and diabetics were more likely to have received injections and had higher rates of PCR, so these variables were adjusted for in the multivariate analysis of the association between injections and PCR (adjusted OR = 4.7, 95% CI: 2.1-10.4, p-value = 0.0001). Eyes with mature cataracts and those that underwent surgery with a resident as the primary surgeon were also at higher risk of PCR, but these variables were not associated with the anti-VEGF injection. Injection frequency, time between most recent injection and surgery, and type of anti-VEGF agent were not significantly associated with PCR. CONCLUSIONS: History of intravitreal anti-VEGF injections was associated with higher odds of PCR during cataract surgery.

Spontaneous full thickness macular hole development and closure in a patient with nucleus dislocation due to hypermature cataract: a case report.

Spontaneous posterior capsule rupture with lens-nucleus dislocation is a very rare entity, as is the development and spontaneous closure of a full thickness macular hole (FTMH) after vitrectomy. The occurrence of these two entities in one eye has not been previously described. A 79-year-old woman was referred because of the right eye intermittent pain and progressive visual loss. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) with correction for aphakia was 20/20. Intraocular pressure was normal with therapy. The cornea, anterior chamber, and vitreous were clear. Gonioscopy was normal. The capsular bag was clear, with rolled-up anterior and posterior lens capsule, and the nucleus dislocated in the vitreous. As surgery waiting time was prolonged due to administrative problems, the patient's intraocular pressure (IOP) increased and cystoid macular edema (CME) with lamellar macular hole developed. The patient underwent pars plana vitrectomy with endophacofragmentation and epiretinal membrane peeling. Postoperative optical coherence tomography was normal, BCVA was 20/40, and IOP was normal with topical therapy. One month after surgery, the eye was without signs of inflammation and IOP started rising in spite of maximum therapy. CME reoccurred and progressed to a FTMH, which started closing spontaneously in one month. One year after surgery, IOP normalized and FTMH closed completely. A dislocated crystalline lens in a quiet eye with normal BCVA, which rapidly developed into intractable glaucoma and FTMH, is an unusual finding. The deterioration was followed by spontaneous IOP normalization and macular hole closure. Such unexpected disease course, suggesting a possible autoimmune reaction, has not yet been described.

Experience in cataract surgery assisted by femtosecond laser at Fundación Hospital Nuestra Señora de la Luz.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the transoperative results of cataract surgeries assisted by femtosecond laser. METHOD: Observational, descriptive, retrospective and cross-sectional study of 420 surgical records made with the LenSx platform from April 2015 to August 2017. The review of records was made through the internal electronic system accessing the preoperative and postoperative note. The information was collected through a database in Excel. The analysis of variables was performed by means of descriptive statistics with measures of central tendency. RESULTS: 86 files met inclusion criteria. The average age was 63 years. There was a general frequency of complications of 27.9% (24 surgeries). The most frequent complications were incomplete or impermeable corneal wound (37.5%), incomplete capsulorhexis (25%) and posterior capsule rupture (16.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The femtosecond laser technology incorporated in cataract surgery can be considered successful because of a low overall frequency of complications.

OBJETIVO: Describir las complicaciones transoperatorias de las cirugías de catarata asistidas por láser de femtosegundo. MÉTODO: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, retrospectivo y transversal de 420 expedientes de cirugías realizadas con la plataforma LenSx de abril de 2015 a agosto de 2017. La revisión de expedientes se realizó a través del sistema electrónico interno accediendo a las notas preoperatoria y posoperatoria. La información se recopiló en una base de datos Excel. Se realizó el análisis de variables por medio de estadística descriptiva con medidas de tendencia central. RESULTADOS: Cumplieron criterios de inclusión 86 expedientes. La edad promedio de los pacientes fue de 63 años. Se presentó una frecuencia general de complicaciones del 27.9% (24 cirugías). Las complicaciones que ocurrieron con mayor frecuencia fueron herida corneal incompleta o impermeable (37.5%), capsulorrexis incompleta (25%) y rotura de cápsula posterior (16.7%). CONCLUSIONES: La tecnología de láser de femtosegundo incorporada en la cirugía de catarata puede considerarse como exitosa al tener una baja frecuencia general de complicaciones.

Capsulotomía iatrogénica y catarata tras vitreolisis láser Nd:YAG en imágenes de tomografía de coherencia óptica / Iatrogenic capsulotomy and cataract after Nd: YAG laser vitreolysis in optical coherence tomography images

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Risk-Adjusted CUSUM Analysis of the Learning Curve of Femtosecond Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery.

Objectives: To determine the length of the learning curve of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) by a risk-adjusted cumulative sum method. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective review of the first 288 FLACS performed by three surgeons over a 12-month period. The learning curves were analyzed separately for each surgeon and as pooled data via risk-adjusted cumulative sum methods. Change-point analysis was performed to estimate the length of the learning curve. Results: Rates of complications were as follows: anterior capsular tear (ACT) (3.4%), posterior capsular rupture (PCR) (0.7%), vitreous loss (0.3%), iris trauma (0.7%), Descemet's membrane tear (0.3%). There was a strong confidence level (96%) that there was a stable performance in terms of PCR after case 16 for the pooled data. Surgeon 1 did not have any cases of PCR, surgeons 2 and 3 exhibited change points at case 5 and 16, respectively (confidence levels = 99%, 98%). There was a strong confidence level (99.8%) that there was stable performance in terms of ACT after case 14 for the pooled data, however the individual surgeons demonstrated individual change points at case 1 (surgeon 1, confidence 99%), case 14 (surgeon 2, confidence 99%), and case 49 (surgeon 3, confidence 96%). Conclusions: The results suggest that there is an increased risk of ACT and PCR in FLACS within a surgeon's first 14 and 16 operations, respectively. Measures should be adopted to minimize harm to patients during this phase. However, overall rates of complications were safe.

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists' National Ophthalmology Database Study of cataract surgery. Report 5: Clinical outcome and risk factors for posterior capsule rupture and visual acuity loss following cataract surgery in patients aged 90 years and older.

BACKGROUND: Older age is commonly associated with an increased risk of surgical complications and comparatively poor outcomes. PURPOSE: To report cataract surgery outcomes and risk indicators for patients aged 90 years and older. METHODS: Data collected as part of routine cataract care in 34 centres contributing to the United Kingdom Royal College of Ophthalmologists' National Ophthalmology Database (NOD) were analysed. Very elderly people undergoing cataract surgery were profiled in terms of demographics, pre- and postoperative best-measured visual acuity (VA), ocular co-morbidities, intraoperative posterior capsule rupture (PCR) or vitreous loss or both, and risk indicators for operative PCR and adverse VA outcome. RESULTS: 25,856 cataract operations in 19,166 people of 90 years or older between 2000 and 2014 are reported. Preoperative VA was available for 82.4% eyes, being 0.30 LogMAR or better in 21.5%. Postoperative VA was available for 61.8% eyes, being 0.30 LogMAR or better in 74.4%. For those without ocular co-morbidity, postoperative VA was 0.30 LogMAR or better in 84.7%. Various co-morbidities were present in 49% and contributed to an adverse VA outcome. PCR data were available for all operations and occurred in 2.7%. Significant risk indicators for PCR included pseudoexfoliation/phakodonesis, mature cataract, smaller pupil and worse preoperative VA. CONCLUSIONS: Slightly poorer cataract surgery outcome results were noted in patients of 90 years or older, more so in patients with ocular co-morbidity which was highly prevalent. However, surgeons should not be deterred from offering cataract surgery to the very elderly as successful visual rehabilitation remains achievable.

Evolution in the Risk of Cataract Surgical Complications among Patients Exposed to Tamsulosin: A Population-Based Study.

PURPOSE: Tamsulosin is associated with intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS), an important risk factor for complications during cataract surgery. Significant efforts have been made to increase awareness of the risks associated with tamsulosin, and educational initiatives have fostered the uptake of technical adjustments to decrease adverse event rates among tamsulosin-exposed patients. However, the effectiveness of these efforts at the population level has not been studied. DESIGN: Population-based study to evaluate cataract surgical adverse event rates over time among patients exposed to tamsulosin and those not exposed to this drug. PARTICIPANTS: All male patients 66 years of age and older undergoing cataract surgery in Ontario, Canada, between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2013, were included in the study. METHODS: Linked healthcare databases were used to study the evolution in the risk of cataract surgical adverse events over time among tamsulosin-exposed and non-tamsulosin-exposed patients adjusting for patient-, surgeon-, and institution-level covariates. The study timeframe incorporated periods before and after the first reports of tamsulosin-associated IFIS. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Four important cataract surgical adverse events were evaluated: posterior capsule rupture, dropped lens fragments, retinal detachment, and suspected endophthalmitis. RESULTS: Among patients exposed to tamsulosin, the risk of surgical adverse events decreased over time (odds ratio, 0.95 per year; 95% confidence interval, 0.91-0.99 per year). This trend was observed across patient age strata. Among patients not recently exposed to tamsulosin, the risk of surgical adverse events also decreased over time (odds ratio, 0.96 per year; 95% confidence interval, 0.95-0.98 per year). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of cataract surgical complications among both tamsulosin-exposed and non-tamsulosin-exposed patients declined between 2003 and 2013. Tamsulosin remains an important risk factor for cataract surgical adverse events, and ongoing efforts will be needed to develop and disseminate surgical approaches that mitigate the risks posed by tamsulosin.

Surgical and visual outcomes of posterior dislocated lens fragments after cataract surgery during 5-years at a tertiary eye hospital of North India.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the surgical and visual outcomes of posteriorly dislocated lens fragments in the vitreous cavity in patients undergoing cataract surgery. METHODS: A total of 149 eyes of 149 patients from 2013 to 2018 were included in the study. The primary cataract surgery was performed either at the base hospital and its peripheral centres or referred from elsewhere. Pars plana vasectomy and nucleus removal was performed along with implantation of intraocular lens, wherever possible. Success was defined as best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ≥ 6/12 at 3 months follow up. Poor visual outcome was defined as per WHO guidelines as BCVA ≤ 3/60. RESULTS: Posterior capsular rupture and dislocation into vitreous cavity most frequently occurred during phaco-fragmentation in cases of phacoemulsification and during nucleus delivery in cases of small incision cataract surgery. Early vitrectomy was performed within 3 days in 36.2% of cases and within 14 days in 63.8% of cases. Successful visual outcome was achieved in 85.2% of patients at 3 months follow up after vitrectomy. Iatrogenic retinal break occurred in five patients during vitrectomyand five patients had retinal detachment. Poor visual outcome was observed in 12eyes, out of which glaucomatous optic neuropathy seen in 5 cases, cystoid or diabeticmacular edema in 4 cases and age related macular degeneration in 3 cases. CONCLUSION: Posterior dislocation of lens can be successfully managed in majority of cases with vitreoretinal surgical intervention. The timing of vitrectomy whether performed early or late did not affect the visual outcome. The most important predictorof final visual acuity after PPV for retained lens fragments is a less complicated clinical course without any associated complications such as retinal detachment, cystoidmacula edema and glaucoma. Expertise of the primary cataract surgeon could not be assessed in this study, though surgeon grade with more experience is an important factor in the assessment of complications during the cataract surgery.

Electron microscopy of silicone irrigation/aspiration tips involved in posterior capsule rupture.

We describe 2 cases of posterior capsule rupture caused by Alcon reusable silicone irrigation/aspiration (I/A) tips. Scanning electron microscopy and reflected light microscopy of these tips revealed burring of the inner metallic shafts and tears in the silicone sleeves. A review of surgical video revealed that posterior capsule ruptures caused by the I/A tips occurred when the posterior capsule was aspirated either through the aspiration port or through a tear in the silicone sleeve. Contact of the posterior capsule with the sharp metallic burrs on the inner metal tube can result in posterior capsule rupture.

Can preoperative anterior segment optical coherence tomography predict posterior capsule rupture during phacoemulsification in patients with posterior polar cataract?

PURPOSE: To determine whether preoperative assessment of posterior capsule integrity using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) can predict posterior capsule dehiscence in patients with posterior polar cataract having phacoemulsification. SETTING: Aravind Eye Hospital and Postgraduate Institute of Ophthalmology, Pondicherry, India. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. METHODS: Patients with posterior polar cataract who had phacoemulsification between October 2012 and November 2013 were included in the study. Preoperative AS-OCT imaging was performed to assess the integrity of the posterior capsule. Anterior segment OCT images of the posterior capsule were graded as "intact" or "dehiscent." Phacoemulsification was performed by the same surgeon who was masked from the AS-OCT findings. The integrity of the posterior capsule was evaluated by the surgeon intraoperatively. RESULTS: The study comprised 64 eyes of 62 patients. Preoperative AS-OCT showed 8 eyes (12.5%) to have probable posterior capsule dehiscence and 56 eyes (87.5%) to have intact posterior capsules. Intraoperatively, the surgeon noted posterior capsule dehiscence in 5 eyes (7.8%) and an intact posterior capsule in 59 eyes (92.2%). The sensitivity and specificity of AS-OCT for detecting posterior capsule dehiscence was 100% and 94.92%, respectively. The negative predictive value of AS-OCT was 100%. CONCLUSION: Anterior segment OCT with its high negative predictive value can be used successfully to predict the risk for posterior capsule rupture during phacoemulsification in eyes with posterior polar cataract.

[Manual small incision cataract surgery: Experience of a regional eye care service in Togo]. / La chirurgie de la cataracte à petite incision manuelle : experience d'un service régional de soins oculaires au Togo.

In order to fight against blindness in the central region of Togo, a project was implemented in a partnership between the Ministry of Health and an international Non-Governmental Organization: the Swiss Red Cross. Cataract surgery underwent an annual audit of the research-action type, in order to improve the functional results of patients. One of the recommendations of these audits was the introduction of manual small incision surgery in place of the classic extracapsular technique. This study had for its objective to evaluate the functional results and follow-up of patients undergoing the new technique compared with quality standards of cataract surgery according to the World Health Organization. This study was carried out by retrospective analysis of records and operative reports of patients over twenty years of age undergoing manual small incision cataract surgery from June 2012 to June 2015. Out of a total of 1292 patients undergoing cataract surgery in the five districts covered by the project during the same period, 1003 patients met the inclusion criteria (77.63 %). Among the 1003 cases, 504 (50.25 %) were male, while 499 (49.75 %) were female. The overall mean age was 62 years. The cataract was total in 84.65 % of cases and partial in 15.35 % of cases where visual acuities were quantifiable. Postoperative complications were dominated by corneal edema (22 %). On the first postoperative day, the good results (visual acuity≥3/10), the average results (visual acuity between 3/10 and 1/10) and the poor results (visual acuity<1/10) were respectively 41.2 %, 50.60 % and 8.2 % without optical correction, changing to 64.40 %, 28.90 % and 6.70 % after optical correction. Between the first and third week, 855 patients (85 %) were seen again. The good, average and poor results were respectively 61.90 %, 35.70 % and 2.40 % without correction, going to 85.30 %, 12.70 % and 2 % after optical correction. Among the 85.30 % good results, 53 % had a visual acuity≥5/10. Residual ametropias are the main cause of poor functional results and the introduction of biometry can contribute to their improvement. Cataract surgery through a well-controlled manual small incision is a promising alternative to the technique of choice, phacoemulsification, which is not yet widely accessible in our low-income countries.

Audit of cataract surgery in Cadiz: visual outcomes and complications. / Auditoría de la cirugía de catarata senil en Cádiz: resultados visuales y complicaciones.

OBJECTIVE: To publish the outcomes and complications of age-related cataract surgery in Cadiz (Spain). Due to the lack of national audits, a comparison was made between the results obtained here and those of the most recent European audit, EUREQUO (2013), and the British audit RCOphth NOD (2015). METHODS: A prospective, longitudinal, before-after study of 312 patients undergoing cataract surgery in the University Hospitals of Puerta del Mar and Puerto Real (Cadiz), in 2013-14. Outcome measurements included sociodemographic characteristics, visual acuity (VA), symptoms secondary to cataract, ocular comorbidity, waiting time, expertise of surgeon (consultant vs. trainee), rate and type of surgical complications. RESULTS: The median age at surgery was 73.92±7.31. Almost all (98.3%) of patients at consultation had a VA ≥0.60logMAR, with a mean pre-surgical VA of 1.01logMAR (0.92-1.10). There was a 6.7% complication rate, with 3.8% posterior capsule ruptures and 2.8% corneal decompensations. No cases of endophthalmitis occurred. The mean post-operative VA was 0.28logMAR (0.22-0.33). More than three-quarters (78.8%) of cases achieved a post-operative VA ≤0.3logMAR, and 27.6% of cases achieved a VA ≤0.0logMAR. CONCLUSIONS: Our success rate was inferior to the EUREQUO and RCOphth NOD studies, with the percentage of patients acquiring a postoperative VA ≤0.3logMAR being 98% and 89%, respectively. However, the populations were not comparable. It is hoped that this study will encourage other public hospitals in Spain to undertake audits and share their results, in order to provide a tool for constructive criticism and quality improvement initiatives.

The evaluation of the risk factors for capsular complications in phacoemulsification.

PURPOSE: To determine and quantify the risk factors for disruption of lens capsule integrity during phacoemulsification. METHODS: The medical records of the patients who had undergone phacoemulsification cataract surgery and had a complication associated with lens capsule were reviewed. Consecutive cases were also reviewed in reverse chronological order as a control group. The exclusion criteria were pediatric cataracts, traumatic cataracts and lens dislocation. As a result, 403 uncomplicated and 83 complicated eyes were analyzed. The differences between the complication group and the group without complications regarding the risk factors were shown by employing the Chi-square test and Fischer's exact test. The variables having the level of significance (p < 0.25) after the Chi-square test and Fischer's exact test were enrolled into the multiple stepwise logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Age (60-69/≤80) (p = 0.017), male gender (p = 0.006), pupil size ≤3 mm (p = <0.001), mature-brunescent cataract (p = <0.001), anterior chamber depth <2.5 mm (p = 0.001), posterior polar cataract (p = 0.006), diabetic retinopathy(p = <0.001), coronary artery disease (p = 0.098) and surgeon factor (junior resident/senior resident, p = 0.015; senior resident/specialist in ophthalmology, p = 0.026; junior resident/specialist in ophthalmology, p = 0.020) were among the factors significantly related to a capsule complication. An Excel program has been developed according to these results to predict the probability of capsule complication. CONCLUSIONS: Higher-risk cases can be predicted preoperatively, thus allowing surgeons to take appropriate precautions, better informing the patient and better selecting the cases especially for trainee surgeons.

Posterior argentinean flag-like sign during primary posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis.

We describe a unique complication during primary posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (PCCC) in a patient with megalocornea scheduled for phacoemulsification with toric multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. After nucleus emulsification and cortex removal, the capsular bag was filled with cohesive viscoelastic in preparation for PCCC to achieve reverse optic capture of the IOL, thus ensuring stability. However, as soon as the initial puncture was made using a 27-gauge needle to start the capsulotomy, the posterior capsule opening extended peripherally from 0º-180º. This capsule extension was similar to the Argentinean-flag sign in hypermature cataracts, and both are caused by excessive intracapsular pressure. Careful bimanual manipulation was performed to implant the IOL on the desired axis, which occurred uneventfully. At a postoperative visit, the patient exhibited excellent uncorrected visual acuity with a well-aligned IOL.

Posterior argentinean flag-like sign during primary posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis / Sinal da bandeira argentina- like durante capsulorrexis posterior primária

ABSTRACT We describe a unique complication during primary posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (PCCC) in a patient with megalocornea scheduled for phacoemulsification with toric multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. After nucleus emulsification and cortex removal, the capsular bag was filled with cohesive viscoelastic in preparation for PCCC to achieve reverse optic capture of the IOL, thus ensuring stability. However, as soon as the initial puncture was made using a 27-gauge needle to start the capsulotomy, the posterior capsule opening extended peripherally from 0º-180º. This capsule extension was similar to the Argentinean-flag sign in hypermature cataracts, and both are caused by excessive intracapsular pressure. Careful bimanual manipulation was performed to implant the IOL on the desired axis, which occurred uneventfully. At a postoperative visit, the patient exhibited excellent uncorrected visual acuity with a well-aligned IOL.

RESUMO Os autores demonstram uma complicação durante a realização de uma capsulo tomia circular contínua posterior (CCCP) em um paciente com megalocórnea programado facoemulsificação com implante de lente intraocular (LIO) tórica multifocal. Após a remoção do núcleo e córtex, o saco capsular foi preenchido por viscoelástico coesivo com finalidade de prepará-lo para realização da CCCP e com isso assegurar o correto alinhamento do implante no eixo desejado. Entretanto, assim que a agulha de 27-gauge foi utilizada para confecção puntura inicial da capsulotomia, imediatamente a cápsula posterior se abriu até periferia de 0-180 graus, similar à lesão capsular vista no sinal da Bandeira Argentina em cataratas hipermaduras, ambos causados por pressão excessiva intracapsular. Manipulação cuidadosa foi realizada para implantação da lente no eixo correto, a qual aconteceu sem intercorrências. No pós-operatório, a paciente apresentou uma excelente acuidade visual sem correção com LIO corretamente alinhada no eixo desejado.

Remnant extraction by using an intraocular lens injector with essential flow.

PURPOSE: To describe a new technique for remnant removal in cases of posterior capsular rupture during cataract surgery and Soemmering ring extraction during intraocular lens (IOL) removal. METHODS: An IOL injector, inserted into the anterior chamber, provides a new exit for residual lens fragments. Passive fluid flow, supplied by an anterior chamber maintainer or some ocular viscoelastic device (OVD) injection, delivers the residual fragments into a lumen of the injector in assistance with a second device such as a phaco-chopper and vitreous cutter. RESULTS: Soemmering rings can be removed safely through small incisions even when under the iris. Nucleus fragments in anterior chamber can be removed safely. Fragments that fall into the vitreous cavity can float up for removal by passive flow. CONCLUSIONS: This new technique, remnant extraction through lens injector with essential flow, has several practical advantages over existing methods including reduced OVD injection and smaller incision size. It may offer an alternative to existing methods of remnant removal in cases of posterior capsular rupture during cataract surgery and Soemmering ring extraction.