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Corneal surgery for severe phacoemulsification burns.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome of corneal surgery for the treatment of severe corneal phacoemulsification burns. DESIGN: Interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: Four patients with severe intraoperative phacoemulsification burns. INTERVENTION: One patient underwent penetrating keratoplasty and 3 underwent lamellar keratoplasties for the treatment of their corneal burns. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Preoperative and postoperative visual acuities, preoperative and postoperative corneal topographies, and clinical observation. RESULTS: The visual acuity (VA) after the phacoemulsification burn was counting fingers in all patients. One patient had a penetrating keratoplasty, whereas the other 3 had lamellar grafts. After the corneal surgery, the corrected postoperative VA was 20/30 to 20/50 in all patients, with astigmatism ranging from 2.5 to 5.5 diopters. CONCLUSION: Severe phacoemulsification burns can be safely treated with corneal surgery, with acceptable postoperative visual acuities.

Aged↗

Comparison of long-term incidence of posterior capsular opacification between phacoemulsification and phacotrabeculectomy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the long-term incidence of posterior capsular opacification after phacoemulsification compared with phacotrabeculectomy with or without adjunctive subconjunctival mitomycin C. METHODS: This was a retrospectively conducted long-term, observational, case-control study. One hundred eyes of 100 cataract patients who underwent phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation and 100 eyes of 100 primary open-angle glaucoma patients with cataract that underwent phacotrabeculectomy and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation, matched with respect to age, intraocular lens type, prevalence of diabetes mellitus, and length of follow-up. The main outcome measure was the rate of clinically significant posterior capsular opacification as determined by slit-lamp biomicroscopy and necessity to perform neodynium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) capsulotomy and as calculated by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Postoperative visual acuity and maintenance of intraocular pressure control were also measured. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the rate of posterior capsular opacification requiring Nd:YAG capsulotomy between the phacoemulsification and phacotrabeculectomy groups (P =.77). However, a significant difference in the rate of posterior capsular opacification was found between those patients without diabetes mellitus and those with a preoperative diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (P =.016). Also, survival analysis comparing use of mitomycin C with no use of mitomycin C in the phacotrabeculectomy group showed a higher survival in the mitomycin C subgroup (P =.03). CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in long-term posterior capsular opacification between phacoemulsification and phacotrabeculectomy in the study population. Intraoperative, adjunctive use of mitomycin C in the phacotrabeculectomy group and the presence of diabetes mellitus in the overall patients were beneficial (protective) factors against posterior capsular opacification.

Aged↗

Visual outcomes and incidence of vitreous loss for residents performing phacoemulsification without prior planned extracapsular cataract extraction experience.

PURPOSE: Phacoemulsification cataract surgery is one of the most important surgical procedures learned by ophthalmology residents during their residency training. We evaluated the visual outcomes and incidence of vitreous loss of phacoemulsification cataract surgeries performed by ophthalmology residents without prior planned extracapsular cataract extraction experience. DESIGN: Interventional case series. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on 332 consecutive phacoemulsification cataract surgeries performed by third-year ophthalmology residents from July 1999 through June 2001. Data included are preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity, preexisting ocular comorbidities, and intraoperative and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Postoperative best-corrected visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 89% of eyes. After excluding the cases with preexisting ocular comorbidities, the percentage increased to 97.7%. Vitreous loss occurred in 4.8% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Ophthalmology residents can learn to perform phacoemulsification cataract surgery safely and effectively without prior planned extracapsular cataract extraction experience.

Clinical Competence↗

Effect of phacoemulsification on corneal thickness.

PURPOSE: To determine the immediate effect on corneal thickness of cataract extraction using phacoemulsification. DESIGN: Prospective consecutive nonrandomized humans undergoing standard small-incision phacoemulsification and intraocular lens insertion. METHODS: Corneal thickness was measured immediately preoperative and postoperatively in 58 consecutive patients undergoing phacoemulsification in the absence of other ocular abnormalities. Corneal thickness was determined centrally and in the midperiphery of four quadrants. The last 17 eyes were also evaluated for the effect of pressure from a Honan balloon on corneal thickness. SETTING: Faculty practice in medical school and university hospital. The cornea thinned in all five of the measured locations, with statistical significance being reached only in the four midperipheral quadrants. Pressure from the Honan balloon resulted in a negligible increase in corneal thickness preoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Corneas were found to have thinned statistically significantly immediately after phacoemulsification; however, the degree of thinning has doubtful clinical significance and does not represent a significant dehydration of the cornea during the surgical procedure.

Cornea↗

Prospective randomized comparison of phacoemulsification cataract surgery with a 3.2-mm vs a 5.5-mm sutureless incision.

PURPOSE: To report sutureless cataract surgery by phacoemulsification with a 3.2-mm surgical incision compared with a 5.5-mm surgical incision. METHOD: In a prospective, randomized, masked clinical trial of phacoemulsification cataract surgery, 55 eyes (55 patients) had a 3.2-mm incision and 56 eyes (56 patients) had a 5.5-mm incision. All incisions were in the superior vertical meridian, commenced 1.5 mm posterior to the limbus, and extended into the cornea for a total length of 2.5 to 3.0 mm. In a masked fashion, astigmatism was monitored by keratometry, and logMAR visual acuity was determined both with and without best correction throughout a mean follow-up of 33.9 months. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were seen in favor of the 3.2-mm incision group at the final examination for astigmatism (Cravy analysis) and uncorrected visual acuity (-0.18 vs -0.88 diopter, P < .001; logMAR, 0.14 vs 0.26, P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: Over the long term, phacoemulsification with a 3.2-mm incision is associated with significantly less astigmatic shift and better uncorrected visual acuity than is phacoemulsification with a 5.5-mm incision. A small incision with a foldable intraocular lens has long-term benefits.

Aged↗

Phacoemulsification and modern cataract surgery.

The techniques and results of cataract surgery have changed dramatically during the past three decades. In the USA, we have moved from intracapsular cataract extraction as the preferred technique to almost exclusively extracapsular techniques. Smaller incisions have become the standard, with phacoemulsification now being the method of choice for most surgeons. Along with these advances have come improved intraocular lens materials and designs, especially well suited for use with smaller incisions. Phacoemulsification as a method to remove the cataractous lens was first proposed more than 20 years ago. Advances in techniques and equipment have led to a dramatic increase in the popularity of phacoemulsification with increased safety and efficiency. Viscoelastic agents have been developed synchronously with modern phacoemulsification techniques, playing an integral role in the success of this new technology. Improved surgical techniques for removing the anterior lens capsule have decreased the incidence of both intraoperative and postoperative capsular complications. Nucleus removal, formerly performed primarily in the anterior chamber, is now performed in the posterior chamber, decreasing damage to the corneal endothelium. Improved wound construction allows many wounds to be left unsutured, and smaller wounds allow shorter recovery time and greater intraoperative control and safety. Intraocular lenses can have smaller optic sizes and still maintain accurate centration. Foldable intraocular lenses can take advantage of the smaller incision, even further shortening the time to visual recovery. Continual evolution of this technology promises to further improve patient outcomes after cataract surgery.

Anesthesia, Local↗

Pilot study on erbium laser phacoemulsification.

PURPOSE: To investigate the suitability of erbium laser phacoemulsification for cataract surgery using a prospective pilot study. DESIGN: Prospective, single-center, nonrandomized clinical trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Slit-lamp microscopy, keratometry, best-corrected visual acuity, refraction, pachymetric corneal thickness, endothelial cell density, and intraocular pressure were assessed before surgery and on the first, fourth, fourteenth, and the sixtieth day after surgery in 40 eyes of 34 patients with senile cataract (17 males with a mean age of 67.3 years; 17 females with a mean age of 73.2 years). All operations were performed by one surgeon (HH) using the MCL-29 erbium laser (Aesculap-Meditec, Jena, Germany). The nuclear sclerosis grade ranged from 0 to 4. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome measures were defined as the ability to emulsify the lens nucleus under clinical conditions and the occurrence of side effects. Secondary outcome measures included the change in visual acuity, refraction, intraocular pressure, corneal thickness, and endothelial cell density. RESULTS: Complete emulsification of the lens nucleus using the erbium laser was achieved in 36 of 40 eyes (90%; nuclear sclerosis grade, 0-3). Partial emulsification of the nucleus was possible in two cases with grade 3 nuclear sclerosis, in one case of grade 2 nuclear sclerosis, and in one case of cataract with grade 4 nuclear sclerosis. Mean phacoemulsification time was 3 minutes, and the total applied energy equaled 38.5 J. The postoperative changes in visual acuity, spherical and astigmatic refraction, and intraocular pressure were found to be the same as with ultrasonic phacoemulsification. The decrease in the density of endothelial cells (by 0.96%) was not statistically significant. Posterior capsule ruptures occurred in three eyes early in the series. There were no further vision-threatening complications. CONCLUSIONS: Erbium laser phacoemulsification is effective for lenses with mild to moderate nuclear sclerosis. For higher grades of nuclear sclerosis, further improvements in technical and surgery-related parameters are required.

Aged↗

Endophthalmitis in patients with retained lens fragments after phacoemulsification.

PURPOSE: To review the treatment and outcomes of patients presenting with concurrent endophthalmitis and retained lens fragments after phacoemulsification. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients presenting with culture-proven endophthalmitis and retained lens fragments after phacoemulsification between 1990 and 1994. RESULTS: Five patients were identified with culture-proven endophthalmitis and retained lens fragments after phacoemulsification. In all patients, coagulase-negative staphylococci were cultured from the vitreous fluid. One patient also had positive cultures for Proteus mirabilis and Escherichia coli. The interval between cataract surgery and treatment ranged from 5 days to 6 months. Echography was beneficial in showing retained lens fragments in five of five patients when media opacities obscured the view of the fundus. Four patients had vitrectomy and removal of retained lens fragments during their initial treatment. The fifth patient was treated with intravitreal antibiotics alone and continued to have marked inflammation, eventually requiring vitrectomy for removal of the retained lens fragments. A final visual acuity of 20/400 or better was achieved in four of the five patients. CONCLUSIONS: Patients may present with endophthalmitis in the setting of retained lens fragments after phacoemulsification. In such cases, the preferred initial management may be pars plana vitrectomy, removal of retained lens fragments, and injection of intraocular antibiotics. In eyes with endophthalmitis and opaque media, echography is a useful screening modality.

Aged↗

Enlargement of incision width during phacoemulsification and folded intraocular lens implant surgery.

PURPOSE: The authors investigated the dimensional stability of incisions during phacoemulsification and small-incision intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. METHODS: Forty-six eyes undergoing temporal clear corneal phacoemulsification and folded silicone IOL implantation were measured with an internal-incision gauge after initial keratome entry, cataract removal, and folded IOL implantation. RESULTS: The initial incision created by a diamond keratome was wider than the physical keratome width by a mean of 0.16 mm. After completion of phacoemulsification and irrigation/aspiration, the incision further widened by a mean of 0.09 mm. Both forceps insertion of a three-piece silicone IOL and injector insertion of a plate haptic silicone IOL resulted in further incision enlargement by a mean of 0.26 mm. Widening the incision before IOL insertion did not eliminate even further incision expansion during the IOL insertion. CONCLUSIONS: The phacoemulsification incision enlarges at each step of the procedure. Irreversible incision stretching or incision tearing occurs, rather than reversible elastic incision deformation. Clinical studies that assume the initial keratome size equals the final incision size may be erroneous.

Humans↗

The effect of phacoemulsification on aqueous outflow facility.

OBJECTIVE: Although control of intraocular pressure (IOP) after cataract extraction may be of critical importance, little is known regarding changes in facility of outflow in the early postoperative period. The effect of phacoemulsification and conjunctival peritomy size on the coefficient of aqueous outflow facility (C) and IOP was studied. DESIGN: Participants were assigned randomly to one of two treatment groups. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-four patients with cataract and without evidence of glaucoma were studied. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomized to receive either single- or two-quadrant conjunctival peritomy and phacoemulsification. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Tonometry and tonography were assessed before surgery and at 1 day, 1 week, 6 weeks, and 1 year after surgery by a masked observer. RESULTS: Fifty patients with a mean of 11.4 months' (range, 10-13 months) follow-up were analyzed. Patients with reduced preoperative facility of outflow (as defined by C < or = 0.28 microliter/min/mmHg) showed a significant improvement from a mean preoperative value of 0.24 +/- 0.04 microliter/min/mmHg to 0.41 +/- 0.22 microliter/min/mmHg at 1 year (P = 0.002, N = 19). Among all patients, there was no significant change between mean preoperative C and last follow-up (0.39 +/- 0.23 vs. 0.46 +/- 0.38 microliter/min/mmHg, not significant [ns], N = 50). Furthermore, there was no significant change between mean preoperative and final IOP (23.7 +/- 4.1 vs. 23.3 +/- 3.9 mmHg, ns, N = 50). There was a significant elevation of mean IOP on postoperative day 1 to 27 +/- 6.2 mmHg (P = 0.001, N = 50). Patients with IOP elevations greater than 8 mmHg on postoperative day 1 had significantly elevated IOP at 1 year compared to preoperative values (P = 0.02, N = 12). There were no significant differences detected regarding C or IOP between single- or two-quadrant peritomy groups. CONCLUSIONS: Outflow facility improves after phacoemulsification in patients with a reduced preoperative coefficient of aqueous outflow. Postoperative day 1 IOP is significantly elevated after phacoemulsification. Conjunctival peritomy size does not appear to play a role in aqueous outflow facility or IOP after surgery.

Aqueous Humor↗

Does preservative-free lignocaine 1% for hydrodissection reduce pain during phacoemulsification?

PURPOSE: To compare preservative-free 1% lignocaine with balanced salt solution (BSS) in alleviating pain during hydrodissection in phacoemulsification cataract surgery. SETTING: West Norwich Hospital, Norfolk, United Kingdom. METHODS: This prospective double-masked trial comprised 68 patients having day-case phacoemulsification cataract surgery. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups, receiving either BSS or lignocaine 1% solution for hydrodissection during routine uneventful phacoemulsification using topical anesthesia. The level of intraoperative pain was scored on a scale of 0 (no pain) to 10 (severe pain), and the scores between the 2 groups were compared. RESULTS: Of the 68 patients, 33 (49%) received BSS and 35 (51%), lignocaine 1% solution. A pain score greater than 2 was considered clinically significant; 28 patients (85%) in the BSS group and 25 (71%) in the lignocaine 1% group scored 2 or less. The chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests found no significant difference between the BSS and lignocaine 1% groups (P = .30 and P = .432, respectively). CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in the pain scores in patients who received BSS or lignocaine 1% solution. Thus, we conclude that hydrodissecting with lignocaine 1% solution does not provide added pain relief during phacoemulsification.

Anesthesia, Local↗

Dye-enhanced cataract surgery. Part 2: learning critical steps of phacoemulsification.

PURPOSE: To use capsule dyes to enhance visualization to learn and perform various critical steps of the phacoemulsification procedure in a laboratory setting using postmortem human eyes. SETTING: Center for Research on Ocular Therapeutics and Biodevices, Storm Eye Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA. METHODS: Indocyanine green 0.5% (ICG) and trypan blue 0.1% were used to enhance visualization for performing critical steps of phacoemulsification in 8 human eyes obtained postmortem. All eyes were prepared according to the Miyake-Apple posterior video technique. After a continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC) was made, the dyes were used to enhance visualization for hydrodissection, hydrodelineation, and various maneuvers for nuclear emulsification and cortical cleanup. In 8 eyes, all the aforementioned steps were performed without using dye (control group). RESULTS: Both dyes helped enhance visualization during the critical steps of phacoemulsification. The use of a dye solution instead of balanced salt solution (BSS) for hydrodissection/delineation helped localize the complete plane of cleavage between the capsule and cortex and the nucleus-epinucleus complex. During various nuclear sculpting maneuvers, the use of dye helped visualization of the position of the phaco tip and its relation to the posterior capsule. It also helped localize remaining cortical fibers, facilitating complete cleaning of the capsular bag. CONCLUSIONS: Dye-enhanced cataract surgery was useful in learning various critical steps of phacoemulsification in a wet laboratory setting.

Cadaver↗

Phacoemulsification in eyes with white cataract.

PURPOSE: To study the results of phacoemulsification in eyes with white cataract. SETTING: Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai, India. METHODS: This retrospective study comprised 212 consecutive patients with white cataract: 192 mature (90.6%), 11 intumescent (5.2%), and 9 hypermature (4.2%). Patients had phacoemulsification and continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis. After the nucleus was removed by the divide and conquer or the phaco chop technique, a posterior chamber intraocular lens was implanted. Preoperative and intraoperative findings, as well as postoperative outcomes, were analyzed. RESULTS: Intraoperative complications included premature entry of the tunnel into the anterior chamber in 4 eyes (1.9%), incomplete capsulorhexis in 60 (28.3%), posterior capsular tear in 4 (1.9%), conversion to a manual nonphacoemulsification technique in 4 (1.9%), intraoperative miosis in 7 (3.3%), and iris chafing in 2 (0.9%). Mean phacoemulsification time was 2.03 minutes (range 0 to 5.8 minutes). A best corrected visual acuity of 6/9 or better was attained in 131 patients (61.8%) on the first postoperative day and in 199 patients (93.9%) at 1 month. Postoperative complications included moderate transient striate keratopathy with corneal edema in 12 eyes (5.7%) and iritis in 2 (0.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Phacoemulsification was a safe and effective technique to remove white mature cataract in eyes in a developing country.

Adolescent↗

Intraocular bacterial contamination during sutureless, small incision, single-port phacoemulsification.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence of anterior chamber bacterial contamination during no-stitch, 1-handed, small incision phacoemulsification. SETTING: Little Company of Mary Hospital, Evergreen Park, Illinois, USA. METHODS: This study comprised 53 eyes of 46 patients. Topical gentamicin sulfate was administered 1 hour preoperatively. After povidone-iodine cleansing solution and povidone-iodine paint (5% and 10%) were applied, the eyes were draped in a sterile manner. Aqueous fluid was aspirated upon entering the anterior chamber and at the end of surgery; the specimens were cultured for up to 14 days. All eyes had no-stitch, 1-handed, small incision phacoemulsification with implantation of a foldable acrylic posterior chamber intraocular lens through a 3.5 mm scleral tunnel incision. RESULTS: Three specimens (5.7%) aspirated on entry into the anterior chamber were positive for microorganisms. Of the cultures obtained at the end of surgery, 4 (7.5%) were positive for microorganisms. All posterior lens capsules were intact. The following organisms were cultured at the end of phacoemulsification: alpha-streptococci, micrococci, saprophytic mold, alpha-viridans streptococci, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species, and anaerobic positive cocci. No eye developed endophthalmitis. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of anterior chamber bacterial contamination was low. Bacterial contamination of the anterior chamber occurred at the beginning and toward the end of phacoemulsification. Staphylococcus species was the most common organism in the beginning, while Streptococcus species was the most common at the end. Saprophytic mold was present only at the end. No eye developed endophthalmitis.

Aged↗

Evaluation of intraocular pressure in the immediate period after phacoemulsification.

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of hypotony or intraocular pressure (IOP) spikes in the early period after clear corneal phacoemulsification in normal and glaucomatous eyes. SETTING: Ambulatory surgical center. METHODS: This retrospective analysis comprised 112 eyes that had clear corneal phacoemulsification. Postoperative IOP measurements were collected 30 minutes, 1 day, and 1 month after surgery. RESULTS: Twenty-three eyes had an IOP of 5 mm Hg or below 30 minutes postoperatively. The IOP at 30 minutes was lower than at 1 day in both the normal and the glaucoma group. The mean IOP in the normal group was 10.0 mm Hg +/- 4.3 (SD) at 30 minutes and 16.9 +/- 4.4 mm Hg at 1 day (P < or = .005). The means in the glaucoma group were 9.6 +/- 3.9 mm Hg and 16.9 +/- 5.7 mm Hg, respectively (P < or = .0002). The IOPs at 30 minutes and 1 day were not significantly different between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: A significant percentage of eyes having clear corneal phacoemulsification had an IOP of 5 mm Hg or less 30 minutes after surgery. Even though there were no postoperative complications from hypotony and there was a relative absence of significant IOP elevation 1 day postoperatively, the frequency of low IOP at 30 minutes suggests that consideration be given to leaving postoperative eyes with a higher IOP at the completion of phacoemulsification rather than with the estimated 10 mm Hg tactile IOP strived for in this study.

Aged↗

Patient pain during different stages of phacoemulsification using topical anesthesia.

PURPOSE: To assess the pain experienced by patients during the different stages of phacoemulsification cataract surgery performed under topical anesthesia. SETTING: Ophthalmic teaching hospital, Dublin, Ireland. METHODS: This prospective study comprised 100 consecutive patients having phacoemulsification under topical anesthesia. Patients were asked to grade the pain they experienced during the different stages of the procedure using a visual analog pain scale from 0 to 10. The pain experienced during the procedure was compared with that experienced after the instillation of a drop of amethocaine. RESULTS: The overall mean pain score was 1.46. The highest mean pain score, which was during the phacoemulsification stage of the procedure, was not significantly more than the score for the administration of the topical anesthetic agent. The duration of surgery was not related to the level of pain during the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Topical anesthesia was effective in phacoemulsification cataract surgery. Because the highest mean score was not significantly higher than that for the administration of the anesthetic agent, it is possible to counsel patients before surgery that the pain they experience during the procedure will be no worse than that during administration of the anesthetic drops.

Adult↗

Retained intravitreal lens fragments after phacoemulsification: complications and visual outcome in vitrectomized and nonvitrectomized eyes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the ocular complications and visual outcomes in vitrectomized and nonvitrectomized eyes with retained lens fragments after phacoemulsification. SETTING: Department of Neurological, Psychiatric, and Ophthalmological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy. METHODS: This prospective nonrandomized study comprised 36 consecutive patients with retained intravitreal lens fragments after phacoemulsification. Eighteen eyes had a pars plana vitrectomy (Group 1), and 18 eyes (Group 2) were treated with medication only. Intraocular pressure (IOP), intraocular inflammation, cystoid macular edema (CME), and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were evaluated 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Ophthalmoscopy and B-scan echography showed that the lens fragments were significantly larger in Group 1 than in Group 2 (P < .03). An uncontrollable IOP rise and inflammation prompted an early vitrectomy in 11 eyes in Group 1. At the 6-month follow-up, the IOP with medications was acceptable in 2 and 5 eyes in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. Intraocular inflammation was no longer detectable 1 month after vitrectomy but persisted during the entire follow-up in Group 2. At 3 months, 5 eyes in Group 1 and 13 in Group 2 had CME and at 5 months, 3 eyes and 1 eye, respectively, had CME. The difference between groups was significant at both follow-ups (P < .05). Three retinal detachments, 1 before and 2 after vitrectomy, occurred in Group 1. The mean BCVA in Group 1 was better than in Group 2 during the entire follow-up; however, the difference was significant at 3 months only (P < .5). At 6 months, 94.4% in Group 1 and 83.2% in Group 2 had a BCVA of 20/50 or better and 66.6% and 55.5%, respectively, attained at least 20/30. CONCLUSIONS: Intraocular inflammation, increased IOP, and CME were major complications in nonvitrectomized eyes after phacoemulsification; retinal detachment occurred in 2 vitrectomized eyes. In eyes with intravitreal lens fragments after phacoemulsification, vitrectomy can yield faster visual rehabilitation and better quality of vision. Conservative management is feasible at the price of long-term intraocular inflammation and slower restoration of comparable visual function.

Aged↗

Trypan blue as an adjunct for safe phacoemulsification in eyes with white cataract.

PURPOSE: To assess the feasibility, risks, and postoperative outcomes of phacoemulsification with posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC IOL) implantation in cases of white cataract with the use of trypan blue as an adjunct for performing continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC) in the absence of a red reflex. SETTING: Dr. Agarwal's Eye Hospital, Chennai, India. METHODS: This prospective study comprised 52 eyes of 52 patients with white cataract that had phacoemulsification through a clear corneal temporal incision with PC IOL implantation. In all the cases, trypan blue was used under air to stain the anterior lens capsule and the karate-chop technique was used to emulsify the nucleus. The mean follow-up was 192.2 days. RESULTS: Trypan blue adequately stained the anterior lens capsule in all cases. The CCC was completed uneventfully in 96.15% eyes; 3.85% of cases had to be converted to a conventional extraction technique because of the loss of the CCC. The mean phacoemulsification time was 2.2 minutes. Intraocular complications included incomplete capsulorhexis (3.85%) and pupillary miosis (3.80%). Postoperatively, 3 eyes (5.77%) had corneal edema (striate keratopathy) and 1 eye (1.9%) had fibrin in the anterior chamber. Five eyes (9.61%) had more than 2+ cells and flare at 2 weeks. All responded well to intensive topical and subconjunctival steroids. There were no cases of endophthalmitis. The mean central endothelial cell loss, measured in 37 eyes, was 8.5%. Of the 4 eyes (7.69%) that had increased intraocular pressure (IOP) postoperatively, all responded well to medications and the IOP was normal by the second postoperative week. Fifty eyes (96.16%) had a final best corrected visual acuity of 20/30 or better. In 2 cases, the final visual acuity was worse than 20/200 because of preexisting posterior segment pathology. CONCLUSION: Phacoemulsification using trypan blue was safe and effective in managing white cataract and had a high success rate.

Aged↗