Comparing the intraoperative complication rate of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery to traditional phacoemulsification

AIM: To compare the complication rate of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery(FLACS) and traditional phacoemulsification for the first 18 mo of FLACS use at a private surgical center in Hawaii.METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted from January 2012 to June 2013. The first 273 consecutive eyes receiving FLACS and 553 eyes receiving traditional phacoemulsification were examined.All surgeries were performed at a single surgical center in Hawaii. The presence of intraoperative complications was used as the main outcome measure. Approval was obtained from the institutional review board of the University of Hawaii.RESULTS: The overall complication rate for FLACS was 1.8%, while that of the traditional procedure was5.8%(P 【0.05). A majority of the surgeons(80%) had a lower complication rate while using FLACS.CONCLUSION: FLACS is comparable in safety, if not safer, than traditional cataract surgery when performed by qualified cataract surgeons on carefully selected patients.

Incidence and risk factors for vitreous loss in residents performing manual small-incision cataract surgery

AIM: To assess the incidence of vitreous loss and associated risk factors in residents performing manual small-incision cataract surgery(MSICS). METHODS: The present retrospective record review study was performed on 490 patients who underwent MSICS performed between November 2018 and December 2019 by 7 third-year postgraduate residents. The study group comprised of patients having intraoperative vitreous prolapse. All the surgeries were performed under supervision of a trained assistant. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants at the time of surgery was 68.42±2.05 y. Of the 490 patients, 250 patients were male, and 240 patients were female(P=0.23). A total of 215(43.9%) eyes had mature white cataract, 185(37.8%) eyes had brown cataract, and 90(18.3%) eyes had immature senile cataract. The incidence of intraoperative vitreous loss among residents was 2%(10/490). Vitreous loss occurred during hydrodissection [1/10(10%)], nucleus delivery [3/10(30%)], irrigation and aspiration [5/10(50%)], and intraocular lens insertion [1/10(10%)]. Multivariate stepwise Logistic regression analysis confirmed immature senile cataract [odds ratio(OR)=3.99;P=0.02], irrigation and aspiration of cortical material(OR=3.07;P=0.03), and anterior capsular extension(OR=3.22, P=0.03) as independent risk factors for vitreous loss. CONCLUSION: Immature senile cataract, irrigation and aspiration of cortical material, and anterior capsular extension are independent risk factors for vitreous loss. Our findings may serve as a guide for future trainers or residents learning MSICS.

Considerations in the management of single-piece intraocular lenses outside the capsular bag

AIM: To investigate the outcomes of off label singlepiece acrylic intraocular lenses(SPA-IOL) ciliary sulcus placement compared to three-piece IOL(3P-IOL). METHODS: The charts of eight consecutive eyes of patients who received sulcus-placed SPA-IOLs between 2006 and 2009 were reviewed. None of the patients underwent IOL exchange. Charts of six age-matched patients who received sulcus placed 3P-IOLs were reviewed as a control group. RESULTS: Mean follow up was 16 mo for SPA-IOL and 23 mo for 3P-IOL. Five of 8 patients in the SPA-IOL group required chronic use of IOP lowering medications at final follow up. Of these, one patient needed glaucoma implant surgery for uncontrolled IOP. One patient in the 3P-IOL group used chronic aqueous suppression pre- and postoperatively. Four of eight eyes with SPAIOL were treated with chronic topical steroids and or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for cystoid macu-la edema, chronic uveitis, pigment dispersion syndrome or a combination of the above, compared to none in the control group. Mean best-corrected visual acuity was 20/35 in the SPA-IOL group and 20/47 in the 3PIOL group.CONCLUSION: Sulcus placed SPA-IOLs are associated with increased ocular morbidity. In select cases good visual acuity may be achieved. Due to postoperative rotation of sulcus placed toric SPA-IOLs stable astigmatism correction cannot be achieved. Alternative intraocular lenses should be considered when in-the-bag placement of SPA-IOL is not possible.