The carbon footprint of cataract surgery in Spain.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Climate change is one of the most important threats to human health nowadays. The healthcare industry produces a significant part of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions. The aim of this study is to assess direct and indirect GHG emissions due to cataract surgery in Spain to identify opportunities for improving. METHODS: This observational case series study estimates and analyses the carbon footprint of a single cataract surgery using phacoemulsification in Ávila Hospital. ISO standard 14064 was applied. RESULTS: The carbon footprint of a single cataract surgery in Ávila Hospital was 86.62kg CO2eq. Medical and pharmaceutical equipment were responsible for 85% of GHG emissions. CONCLUSIONS: Collaboration between pharmaceuticals and ophthalmologists is important to improve the environmental impact of cataract surgery. Future research is needed to introduce changes that do not compromise patient and surgeon safety. Green surgery models could play an encouraging role in the new global health scene.

Oculomotor nerve palsy in herpes zoster ophthalmicus: Presentation of 4 cases. / Parálisis oculomotoras en el contexto de una reactivación del virus varicela-zóster: a propósito de 4 casos.

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection has a high prevalence worldwide. Within the multiple ophthalmologic manifestations that VZV can cause, sudden diplopia is among them. A review is presented of four clinical cases of 3rd and 4th oculomotor nerve palsies in herpes zoster ophthalmicus. A review is also presented of the physiopathology and most important clinical manifestations. Imaging tests are essential in order to rule out complications. Systemic antiviral administration is the correct treatment.

Haab striae: Optical coherence tomographic analysis.

PURPOSE: To study Haab striae in adults with primary congenital glaucoma and describe them by anterior segment optical coherence tomography, as well as analyze their evolution over the patient's lifetime. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three patients with primary congenital glaucoma were recruited, aged between 17 and 48 years old, with incidentally noted Haab striae on glaucoma consultation. They were studied by: slit lamp; anterior segment optical coherence tomography, Heidelberg Engineering Inc., Germany, (with anterior segment module) and Cirrus HD-OCT, Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, California, USA (with 3D reconstruction); and specular biomicroscopy. The results obtained were contrasted with other studies performed in children. RESULTS: Rounded excrescences protruding towards the anterior chamber were found, as well as dense, irregular tissue between them. In addition, endothelial abnormalities (polymegathism and polymorphism) were found. These findings fit the evolution of those obtained in pediatric studies and remain stable in adult life. CONCLUSIONS: Through noninvasive methods such as optical coherence tomography and specular biomicroscopy, it is possible to make the diagnosis and follow up these patients. The findings suggest posterior corneal topographic changes; additional studies on this subject may be necessary.