Phacoemulsification devices: a consumer's report

This report deals with our evaluation of six phacoemulsification devices tested at the Neumann Eye Institute (two additional devices have been evaluated since this paper was presented at the ASCRS meeting). The devices were compared for operating cost of the first 1,000 cases, dependability, ease of usage, and level of safety for the patient.     

Glare disability devices for cataractous eyes: a consumer's guide

We evaluated five commercially available glare testers to determine how accurately each device predicted outdoor Snellen acuity in cataract patients. Predicted outdoor Snellen acuity was compared to actual Snellen outdoor acuity for the Miller-Nadler glare tester, the brightness acuity tester (BAT), the InnoMed true vision analyzer (TVA), the VisTech VCT 8000, and the EyeCon 5. All five devices were evaluated in a single series of eyes. We ranked the five glare testers as follows based upon their ability to predict outdoor Snellen acuity within one Snellen line: (1) BAT (73%), (2) TVA (69%), (3) VisTech VCT 8000 (56%), (4) Miller-Nadler (47%), and (5) EyeCon 5 (15%). All five devices were also evaluated for their capacity to provide false negative or false positive results and for testing time per eye, test difficulty level for the patient, versatility, upgrading capacity, examining room adaptability, and price. We concluded that glare testing of cataract patients is necessary to measure visual disability and that glare testing devices vary in their ability to predict outdoor vision.     

Phacoemulsification tip vacuum pressure: Comparison of 4 devices

PURPOSE: To determine the vacuum pressure generated by 4 phacoemulsification devices measured at the phacoemulsification tip. SETTING: University ophthalmology department. METHODS: The effective vacuum pressures generated by the Sovereign (AMO), Millennium (Bausch & Lomb), Legacy AdvanTec (Alcon Laboratories), and Infiniti (Alcon Laboratories) phacoemulsification machines were measured with a device that isolated the phacoemulsification tip in a chamber connected to a pressure gauge. The 4 machines were tested at multiple vacuum limit settings, and the values were recorded after the foot pedal was fully depressed and the pressure had stabilized. The AdvanTec and Infiniti machines were tested with and without occlusion of the Aspiration Bypass System (ABS) side port (Alcon Laboratories). The Millennium machine was tested using venturi and peristaltic pumps. RESULTS: The machines generated pressures close to the expected at maximum vacuum settings between 100 mm Hg and 500 mm Hg with few intermachine variations. There was no significant difference between pressures generated using 19- or 20-gauge tips (Millennium and Sovereign). The addition of an ABS side port decreased vacuum by a mean of 12.1% (P < .0001). CONCLUSION: Although there were some variations in vacuum pressures among phacoemulsification machines, particularly when an aspiration bypass tip was used, these discrepancies are probably not clinically significant.     

Capsular tension rings: update on endocapsular support devices

Endocapsular support devices, such as the capsular tension ring, and other newer scleral-fixated devices have become increasingly important in the management of compromised zonules during cataract surgery. Cataract removal in patients with significant zonulopathy presents many challenges with increase risk of intraoperative and postoperative complications. The original capsular tension ring was the beginning of a progressive evolution in the management of zonular weakness. Newer devices, which permit scleral-suture fixation, include the modified capsular tension ring and the capsular tension segment.     

小瞳孔白内障超声乳化术

探讨小瞳孔状下超声乳化的手术技巧和注意事项。方法应用非切开瞳孔牵拉扩张法及原位超声乳化碎核等技术对７７例小瞳孔白内障行超声乳化。结论非切开瞳孔研究拉张法可使小瞳孔白内障术后恢复生理圆瞳孔,无不良反应。     

Phacoemulsification and pars plana vitrectomy: a combined procedure

AIM: To describe the results of a combined procedure including phacoemulsification, insertion of posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCIOL) and pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in eyes with vitreoretinal pathology and coexisting significant cataract. DESIGN: Retrospective, consecutive, noncomparative, interventional case series. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records of patients who had undergone phacoemulsification, PPV and PCIOL implantation as a combined procedure between January 2000 and December 2004 were retrospectively reviewed. The main outcome measures were the anatomical success of retina, defined as reattached retina, intraoperative and postoperative complications and functional success in terms of final best corrected visual acuity. RESULTS: In all, 65 eyes of 64 patients were included. The mean age of the patients was 50.9 years +/- 17.1 (range, five to 82 years). Vitreous hemorrhage with or without retinal detachment (19 eyes, 29.2%) was the most common indication for the vitreoretinal procedure. Primary anatomical success of retina was achieved in 59 eyes (90.7%). Visual acuity improved in 48 eyes (73.8%), was unchanged in 12 eyes (18.5%) and deteriorated in five eyes (7.7%). Postoperative inflammation was significantly more in the subgroup of previously vitrectomized eyes (42%) (P =0.014, Fisher exact test) compared to those which underwent primary vitrectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Combined surgery is a feasible option for patients with vitreoretinal diseases and cataract.     

Phacoemulsification in a case of microspherophakia

Phacoemulsification with implantation of an acrylic foldable intraocular lens in a 14-year-old girl with microspherophakia is described. The associated lenticular myopia was disabling in terms of quality of life. With the help of nylon iris hooks, the procedure was uneventful and the outcome successful     

Phacoemulsification.

Ten years have passed since the phacoemulsification procedure was introduced to ophthalmology. Enough experience has now been gained to evaluate its effectiveness. This report sets forth a list of case-selection criteria designed to avoid the most common complications associated with the operation. Average visual acuity results have been tabulated for the purpose of assisting those who are deciding whether or not ot adopt the procedure.     

Phacoemulsification with the Heslin/Mackool Ocusystem: a follow-up report

The experience of one surgeon (KBH) with phacoemulsification and the Heslin/Mackool Ocusystem is reported. In a study involving 350 cases with a mean follow-up period of 20.1 months, 88.6% of the patients achieved a visual acuity result of 20/40 or better, and when nonoperative causes of poor vision were eliminated, 97.2% of the study group achieved such a result. The most common complication cited was opacification of the posterior capsule, occurring 20.0% of the time. The authors conclude that the Heslin/Mackool Ocusystem is a safe and efficient instrument for phacoemulsification.     

Phacoemulsification in eyes with a small pupil

PURPOSE: To evaluate the intraoperative difficulties and long-term outcome of phacoemulsification through a small pupil using minimal iris manipulation. SETTINGS: Iladevi Cataract & IOL Research Centre, Ahmedabad, India. METHODS: This prospective study included 30 consecutive eyes with a maximally dilated pupil size of 4.0 mm or smaller. Except synechiolysis and occasional pupil retraction with a chopper, no iris manipulation was performed. The phacoemulsification technique included creation of deep central space, use of a low aspiration flow rate with appropriate vacuum, and step-by-step chop in situ and lateral separation of the nucleus. Patients were examined 1 day, 1 week, 1 and 3 months, and 1 year postoperatively. Specular microscopy was performed at 1 month and 1 year. RESULTS: Fourteen eyes had chronic iritis, 12 had glaucoma surgery, 2 had pseudoexfoliation, and 2 had a rigid pupil. Mean follow-up was 13.6 months. Eighteen eyes (60%) had hard cataract. Mean preoperative pupil size was 2.80 mm +/- 0.75 (SD). Mean pupil size before the capsulorhexis was initiated was 4.42 +/- 0.58 mm. The iris was bruised in 10 eyes during cortex removal. Trace amounts of cortex were left in 4 cases. Two eyes had increased intraocular pressure in the early postoperative period. Six patients had a minimal amount of retained viscoelastic material (pseudofibrin), and 2 patients developed a sterile hypopyon. Sixteen eyes had cell deposits on the IOL surface and 12 eyes, fine uveal pigments. In 2 eyes with previous glaucoma surgery and in all eyes with iritis except 2, posterior synechias reformed. CONCLUSIONS: Successful phacoemulsification was done with minimal or no pupil-widening maneuvers, restoring the preoperative pupil configuration.     

Phacoemulsification on previously vitrectomized eyes: results of a 10-year-period

PURPOSE: To provide an overview of intraoperative and postoperative complications during phacoemulsification cataract surgery and to evaluate the visual results in patients having pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with 10 years of follow-up. METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of intraoperative and postoperative complications and postoperative visual results in 134 consecutive patients who underwent phacoemulsification after PPV. Of 11,498 eyes treated with phacoemulsification, 143 (1.2%) had previous PPV during the 10-year period were included in this study. RESULTS: The phacoemulsification procedure seemed to be difficult where there was a deep or fluctuating anterior chamber (93%) and primary posterior capsule opacification (19%). The most frequent intraoperative complications were posterior capsule rupture (9%) and incomplete capsular rhexis (5%). Postoperative intraocular pressure elevation (7%), retinal detachment (6%), and posterior capsule opacification (8%) occurred most frequently during the mean follow-up period of 18.2 months (1.5-110 months). Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) increased two or more Snellen E lines in 55% of the cases or became better than or equal to 0.5 in 10% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the well-known difficulties encountered in vitrectomized eyes such as zonular damage, increased mobility of the lens-iris diaphragm, and altered intraocular fluid dynamics, phacoemulsification proved to be a safe procedure in the hands of experienced surgeons.     

Phacoemulsification in eyes with functioning filtering blebs: a prospective study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of phacoemulsification on intraocular pressure (IOP) control in eyes with a previous functioning filtering bleb and no glaucoma medication. DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized comparative (self-controlled) trial. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-seven patients (49 eyes) who underwent phacoemulsification after successful trabeculectomy, with at least 12 months of follow-up. INTERVENTION: Clear corneal phacoemulsification and implantation of a foldable intraocular lens in eyes that underwent a previous successful trabeculectomy. The time between both procedures was always greater than 1 year. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Preoperative and postoperative IOP, the number of glaucoma medications, bleb appearance, and visual acuity were recorded at each follow-up examination. Success was defined as no need for glaucoma medications, bleb needling, or further glaucoma surgery for IOP control after phacoemulsification. Preoperative and intraoperative factors were evaluated for an association with postoperative failure using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. RESULTS: The mean (+/- standard deviation) IOP before phacoemulsification was 12.24 (+/- 4.68) mmHg, and it increased 3.94, 3.76, 1.39, 2.04, and 1.57 mmHg on the first postoperative day, after 1, 6, and 12 months, and at the last visit, respectively. At each interval, the mean IOP was significantly higher than the preoperative value (P = 0.000, 0.000, 0.049, 0.01, and 0.01, respectively). Nevertheless, the mean IOP after phacoemulsification was always lower than before trabeculectomy (P = 0.000). At the last visit, glaucoma medication was required in 17 eyes (34.7%). The success rates after phacoemulsification were 83.6%, 68.2%, and 55.7% at 6 months and 1 and 2 years, respectively (Kaplan-Meier survival analysis). The number of glaucoma medications used increased at all follow-up visits (P < 0.005). Bleb size decreased after phacoemulsification (P = 0.000). An IOP before phacoemulsification of greater than 10 mmHg was associated with postoperative failure (P = 0.002). Similarly, bleb failure and the need for glaucoma medication were associated with higher IOPs before phacoemulsification. CONCLUSIONS: Phacoemulsification significantly increased IOP and the number of glaucoma medications in eyes with preexisting functioning filtering blebs. Eyes with higher IOPs before phacoemulsification had worsened postoperative IOP control and bleb failure.