Follow-Up Survey of Cataract Surgical Coverage and Barriers to Cataract Surgery at Nkhoma,Malawi

Purpose: Nkhoma Eye Hospital, Malawi provides high volume, high quality free cataract surgery to people in its catchment region of Central-Malawi. However, a previous survey in 2000 indicated that only 1 in 7 people with bilateral blindness from cataract had received surgery in a 10-mile radius of Nkhoma.

Methods: We conducted a population-based survey in 2006 in the 32 villages within a 10-mile radius of Nkhoma Hospital in people aged ≥ 40 years in order to investigate the cataract surgical coverage (CSC) and barriers to cataract surgery.

Results: The prevalence of blindness (visual acuity [VA] <3/60 in better eye) in 835 people aged ≥ 40 was 1.3% (95% CI 0.5–2.1), of which 36.4% was due to cataract. Overall, the CSC was 83.3%, and for eyes (VA<3/60) was 66.0%. The CSC was lower in females compared to males (73.3% vs. 100.0%. P?<?0.001). The most common barrier to surgery was cost (58%).

Conclusion: Our results demonstrate a 5-fold increase in coverage in the 6 years, primarily by increasing efficiency of the service provider and providing a community screening and referral service. Supporting the ophthalmic personnel with appropriate infrastructure and management has been central to this shift. Implementing an active case finding and referral mechanism has enabled this unit to provide regular high volume cataract surgery. There is a need to understand the factors influencing perceptions about cost as a barrier in this community and the disparity between need and access to services for women.     

Gender Issues in a Cataract Surgical Population in South India

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate patterns and characteristics of men and women who used different cataract surgery payment streams in a South Indian hospital.

Methods: We randomly sampled patients with age-related cataract aged 40 years and over from three routine cataract surgical service streams: walk-in paying, walk-in subsidized and free camp. Presenting visual acuity (VA) and cataract surgical details were obtained from routine hospital records. Demographic and socioeconomic factors were collected from patient interviews. Multiple logistic regression was used to investigate factors associated with use of different streams with walk-in paying as the reference group.

Results: There were 7076 eligible admissions (3742 women and 3334 men). Proportionately more women than men attended the walk-in subsidized (56%) or free camp sections (55%) compared to the walk-in paying stream (42%, odds ratio, OR, 1.40 95% confidence interval, CI, 1.25–1.57 and OR 1.33 95% CI 1.19–1.49, respectively). After adjustment for socioeconomic factors (illiteracy, not being in paid work), rural residence and poor presenting VA, OR for women compared to men for the walk-in subsided stream was 1.02, (95% CI 0.87–1.18) and for the free camp 0.94 (95% CI 0.80–1.11).

Conclusion: Our results indicate that women are underrepresented in the paying section, reflecting their poorer socioeconomic and educational statuses.     

Cataract surgery and anticoagulants

A questionnaire was sent to 240 members of the Netherlands Intraocular Implant Club (NIOIC) to register their policy followed in 1993 with regard to anticoagulant therapy (ACT) and the use of aspirin in patients having cataract surgery. Ninety-one (32%) forms were suitable for analysis. Most eye surgeons (76%) declared to discontinue anticoagulant therapy and the use of aspirin prior to cataract surgery, especially when using local anesthesia. After stopping anticoagulant therapy and the use of aspirin serious systemic complications were reported. Furthermore, ocular complications were reported due to continuation of ACT and the use of aspirin during surgery. Although the response rate to the enquiry was 32% only, we would suggest that continuation of ACT and the use of aspirin during surgery is to be recommended because of the possible life threatening complications related to discontinuing ACT and the use of aspirin. Risks of bleeding can be minimized further by using topical anesthesia, sub-tenon anesthesia and clear corneal surgery.     

Dry Eye After Cataract Surgery and Associated Intraoperative Risk Factors

Purpose

To investigate changes in dry eye symptoms and diagnostic test values after cataract surgery and to address factors that might influence those symptoms and test results.

Methods

Twenty-eight eyes from 14 patients with preoperative dry eye (dry eye group) and 70 eyes from 35 patients without preoperative dry eye (non-dry eye group) were studied prospectively. In each group, we measured values such as tear break-up time (tBUT), Schirmer I test (ST-I), tear meniscus height (TMH), and subjective dry eye symptoms (Sx), and evaluated the postoperative changes in these values. We also evaluated the influence of corneal incision location and shape on these values. The correlations between these values and microscopic light exposure time and phacoemulsification energy were investigated.

Results

In the dry eye group, there were significant aggravations in Sx at 2 months postoperatively and in TMH at 3 days, 10 days, 1 month, and 2 months postoperatively, compared with preoperative values. All dry eye test values were significantly worse after cataract surgery in the non-dry eye group. With regard to incision location, there was no difference in tBUT, Sx, ST-I, or TMH in either the dry eye group or the non-dry eye group at any postoperative time point. Regarding incision shape, there was no difference in tBUT, Sx, ST-I or TMH at any postoperative time point in the dry eye group. In the superior incision sub-group of the non-dry eye group, tBUT and Sx were worse in the grooved incision group at day 1. In the temporal incision sub-group of the non-dry eye group, Sx were worse in the grooved incision group at 1 day, 3 days, and 10 days postoperatively. In both groups, significant correlations were noted between microscopic light exposure time and dry eye test values, but no correlation was noted between phacoemulsification energy and dry eye test values.

Conclusions

Cataract surgery may lead to dry eye. A grooved incision can aggravate the symptoms during the early postoperative period in patients without dry eye preoperatively. Long microscopic light exposure times can have an adverse effect on dry eye test values.     

Cataract surgery after Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty

Management of endothelial dysfunction in phakic patients is sometimes a dilemma for corneal surgeons. Phakic patients with visually significant cataract and endothelial dysfunction are preferably managed by performing combined cataract surgery with endothelial keratoplasty. However, combined surgery may be deferred in eyes with early incipient cataract, younger age and where anterior chamber is poorly visualized. As cataract formation may be accelerated after endothelial keratoplasty, these eyes may need cataract surgery subsequently. Surgical intervention in eyes with endothelial keratoplasty is of concern as this may affect the graft adversely and threaten graft survival. In this report, we describe the intraoperative surgical details and postoperative clinical course of a patient who underwent phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation after Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK).     

Cataract surgery with femtosecond lasers

Cataract surgery with femtosecond lasers is approaching its practical application in ophthalmology. These lasers, working in the near infrared wavelength (1030 nm) can penetrate the transparent and even opaque tissues of the anterior segment of the eye, with limitations related to vessels and mineral opacities. Femtosecond lasers, guided by image systems can precisely outline the anatomy of the anterior segment of the eye, acting in a very precise way, performing corneal incisions, capsulorhexis, softening and breaking of the nucleus, which are essential steps in cataract surgery.In this article we summarize the four technologies available and approaching commercial application in the coming future. The main differences between the systems are based on the diagnostic imaging techniques, which might either be based on optical coherence tomography or the Scheimpflug principles. One model (the Technolas Femtec 520 F custom lens, 20/10 Perfect Vision), offers the possibility of combined use in corneal and intraocular surgery.While clinical studies are being performed with all of them, and most probably becoming available on the market during 2011 and 2012, the main problem of this emerging technology is its practical application as the increase in costs will affect their availability in the market of cataract surgery.Research is needed to confirm the practicality and the advantages of femtosecond laser cataract surgery over conventional surgery. Meanwhile, a new path for the future of cataract surgery is opening.     

Outcomes of Cataract Surgery in Ocular Cicatricial Pemphigoid

Abstract

Purpose: To report the outcomes of cataract surgery in ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP). Setting: L. V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India. Design: Retrospective, interventional case series.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with OCP who had undergone cataract surgery were included. Staging of disease, type of surgery, pre- and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and number and duration of topical and systemic medications were recorded. Complications and any exacerbation or worsening of disease were noted.

Results: Nine eyes of 7 patients (3 male, 4 female) were included in the study, with mean age of 60.44?±?2.6 years (range 56–64 years). Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 10 years (mean 52.9?±?46.25 months). Surgery performed was extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation (n?=?5) or phacoemulsification with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation (n?=?4). Best-corrected visual acuity improved by more than 2 lines in 6 of 9 (66.67%) eyes, which remained stable till the last follow-up. Three eyes had no visual improvement due to corneal scar in 2 patients and preexisting posterior staphyloma in 1 eye. Disease progression was noted in 2 of 9 operated eyes by one stage at the end of 1 year.

Conclusion: In this series, cataract surgery could be safely performed with no major intra- or postoperative complications. While the surgical intervention itself was not associated with acute exacerbations of inflammation, progression of disease was noted in some cases over time. In spite of ongoing disease, cataract surgery in OCP was associated with stable visual outcomes.     

Cataract and Refractive Surgery in ; a Survey of KSCRS Members From 1995~2006

Purpose

This purpose of this report was to study trends in cataract and refractive surgeries conducted during the past twelve years and to compare results to previous reports from the ASCRS and New Zealand (NZ) in order to forecast future medical services.

Methods

We surveyed members of the Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (KSCRS) every year from 1995 to 2006, and studied changes in cataract and refractive surgeries (RS).

Results

The duration of hospitalization has been gradually decreasing to the point that a one day hospitalization following surgery has become common. The rate of topical anesthesia use has significantly increased since 1998. Sutureless incision methods are now commonly practiced. The use of acryl IOL as an optic material has been gradually increasing for cataract surgeries. KSCRS members showed an interest in the special intraocular lenses as multifocal IOL. While Excimer laser PRK was the most popular refractive surgery during the first stage, KSCRS members increasingly prefer LASIK to the Excimer laser PRK. Regression of the corrected visual acuity, dry eye, night halo, and flashes were the most common complications following refractive surgeries. Medical disputes related to PRK and LASIK have been gradually increasing throughout the study period.

Conclusions

We confirm that the KSCRS practice styles for cataract and RS are similar to those of the ASCRS and NZ. We infer a world-wide trend from the comparison of these three societies.     

白内障术中局部注射麻醉导致的术后斜视及治疗

目的 在白内障手术中因球后或球周麻醉时药物可能导致眼外肌毒性而产生术后斜视及治疗.方法 对5例局部麻醉白内障术后患者,均于术后第一天去除眼罩时发现复视.于白内障术后3个月后在全麻下行受累肌肉的后徙及可调节缝线手术.结果 白内障术中局部注射布比卡因导致的眼肌麻痹于术后即发复视并持续存在.在观察病例中2例上直肌受累、3例下直肌受累.4例左眼,1例右眼.在受累肌肉行足量的肌肉后徙并可调节缝线,术后大部分注视方向复视消失,眼位调正.结论 白内障术后斜视应当注意到术中局麻药物肌肉毒性所致的斜视.早期由于肌肉麻痹产生复视,后期由于肌肉纤维化和(或)肥大产生与初始复视相反方向的复视.对受累肌肉的足量后徙和可调节缝线可以获得满意的术后效果.     

南通市新城桥街道60岁及以上人群白内障流行病学调查

目的调查江苏省南通市城市人口中60岁及以上人群白障患病率、白内障盲人手术覆盖率和白内障人社会负担率,了解白内障患病情况及评价近十年来南通市实施以白内障手术治疗为主的防盲治盲工作效果。方法随机整群抽取新城桥街道14个社区中的8个,并对所有60岁及以上人群进行视力和眼部检查。了解接受白内障手术情况。结果3040例受检者中,白内障患病率为34.87%。2002年南通市城市人口60岁及以上人群白内障手术率为8553。以较好眼小孔视力<0.05为盲标准,白内障盲人手术覆盖率为60%,女性和文盲分别为50%和30%。白内障盲人社会负担率为2.14%,女性和文盲分别为2.63%和4.40%。以双眼日常生活视力<0.1为盲的标准,白内障盲人手术覆盖率为57.33%,女性和文盲分别为50%和31.82%。白内障盲人的社会负担率为2.47%,女性和文盲分别为2.99%和4.84%。结论白内障盲人所造成的社会负担率较重,在女性和文盲中,白内障是严重的公共卫生问题。防盲工作的首要任务仍是根治白内障盲。     

激光乳化白内障摘除术的护理配合

目的：介绍激光乳化白内障摘除术的护理配合体会方法：回顾70例(70只眼)激光乳化白内障手术的护理配合，患者年龄36～75岁，其中男41例。女29例，术中配合要点及注意事项。结果：70例手术均顺利完成，患者均能配合手术，术后视力均有明显提高，视力1．0～1．5者25例。0．6～0．9者31例，0.3～0．5者12例，0．1者2例。结论：要使手术顺利进行，手术室护士必须掌握激光乳化仪的正确使用，熟悉手术步骤，术前作好充分的准备工作，术中对患者进行精心的护理。     

Cataract surgery in a case of carotid cavernous fistula

A carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF) is an abnormal communication between the cavernous sinus and the carotid arterial system. The ocular manifestations include conjunctival chemosis, proptosis, globe displacement, raised intraocular pressure and optic neuropathy. Although management of CCF in these patients is necessary, the ophthalmologist may also have to treat other ocular morbidities such as cataract. Cataract surgery in patients with CCF may be associated with many possible complications, including suprachoroidal hemorrhage. We describe cataract extraction surgery in 60-year-old female with bilateral spontaneous low-flow CCF. She underwent phacoemulsification via a clear corneal route under topical anesthesia and had an uneventful postoperative phase and recovered successfully. Given the various possible ocular changes in CCF, one must proceed with an intraocular surgery with caution. In this communication, we wish to describe the surgical precautions and the possible pitfalls in cataract surgery in patients with CCF.     

Cataract surgery in retinitis pigmentosa

Purpose:The aim of this study was to evaluate visual outcomes of cataract surgery in patients with retinitis pigmentosa.Methods:This retrospective case series includes a review of the medical records of all patients with retinitis pigmentosa undergoing cataract surgery between 2005 and 2018. The primary outcome measure was corrected distant visual acuity and change in vision impairment after surgery.Results:Of the 103 (132) patients, 60 (58.3%) were men and 43 (41.7%) were women. The mean age of the study population was 51.3 ± 11.3 (22–74) years. The mean symptom duration was 35.4 ± 44.5 (1–300) months. The most common morphology of cataracts was a combination of nuclear sclerosis, posterior subcapsular, and cortical cataract (n = 65 eyes, 49.3%). Phacoemulsification (87 eyes, 65.9%) was the preferred surgical technique. The mean preoperative corrected distant visual acuity of 1.21 ± 0.87 log MAR units improved significantly (P < 0.001) to 0.60 ± 0.56 log MAR units after surgery. The number of blind patients reduced from 27 (26.2%) to 8 (7.8%) patients. Zonular dialysis and posterior capsule tear were seen in six (4.5%) eyes each. Good preoperative vision (odds ratio: 6.1 [95% confidence interval: 2.9–13.0], P < 0.0001) was associated with better outcome, wheras reduced central macular thickness (odds ratio: 3.5 [95% confidence interval: 1.3–9.2], P = 0.011) was associated with poor outcome.Conclusion:A considerable number of patients presented with advanced cataracts and severe vision impairment. Significant improvement in visual acuity and alleviation of vision impairment was seen after surgery, with few complications. Good preoperative visual acuity predicted a good outcome, whereas macular thinning predicted a poor outcome.     

The Importance of Biometry to Cataract Outcomes in a Surgical Unit in Africa

Purpose: To determine how much difference biometry makes to refractive outcomes in a population in Sub-Saharan Africa compared to using standard-power intraocular lenses (IOLs).

Methods: In a secondary eye-clinic in Kenya, IOL-powers in half diopters (D) were implanted according to biometry prediction in patients undergoing routine cataract surgery with small-incision techniques. A model was generated to predict refractive outcomes if standard-IOLs had been used.

Results: Three-hundred-twenty-five eyes of 290 patients were operated on; 232 (71%) using phacoemulsification, the remainder using manual small-incision cataract surgery. Two-hundred-sixty-seven eyes (82.2%) achieved corrected visual acuity (VA) ≥6/18 and 202 eyes (62%) uncorrected VA ≥6/18. Pre-existing comorbidity was the single most common reason for a worse postoperative VA. Restricting analysis to one eye per patient, with biometry 71.1% had a good refractive outcome (defined as +1 to -1.5 D spherical equivalent), 27.6% became more than ?1.5 D myopic and 1.3% more than +1.00 D hyperopic. With standard-power-IOLs 57.3% would have had a good refractive outcome and 16% would have become >1 D hyperopic. Using the post-op refractive data for A-constant optimization could potentially further increase good refractive outcomes to over 80%.

Conclusion: Biometry in combination with small-incision techniques improves refractive outcomes and decreases undesired postoperative hyperopia. Assuming good surgical skills, better outcomes with biometry justify cataract operation at an earlier stage, thereby reducing intra- and postoperative complications and avoiding years of visual disability.     

Long-Term Efficacy and Rotational Stability of AcrySof Toric Intraocular Lens Implantation in Cataract Surgery

Purpose

To evaluate the long-term efficacy and rotational stability of the AcrySof toric intraocular lens (IOL) in correcting preoperative astigmatism in cataract patients.

Methods

This prospective observational study included 30 eyes from 24 consecutive patients who underwent implantation of an AcrySof toric IOL with micro-coaxial cataract surgery between May 2008 and September 2008. Outcomes of visual acuity, refractive and keratometric astigmatism, and IOL rotation after 1 day, 1 month, 3 months, and long-term (mean, 13.3±5.0 months) follow-up were evaluated.

Results

At final follow-up, 73.3% of eyes showed an uncorrected visual acuity of 20/25 or better. The postoperative keratometric value was not different from the preoperative value; mean refractive astigmatism was reduced to -0.28±0.38 diopter (D) from -1.28±0.48 D. The mean rotation of the toric IOL was 3.45±3.39 degrees at final follow-up. One eye (3.3%) exhibited IOL rotation of 10.3 degrees, the remaining eyes (96.7%) had IOL rotation of less than 10 degrees.

Conclusions

Early postoperative and long-term follow-up showed that implantation of the AcrySof toric IOL is an effective, safe, and predictable method for managing corneal astigmatism in cataract patients.     

Cataract Surgery in HIV Seropositive Patients: Long-Term Follow-Up

Purpose: To study epidemiology and clinical findings of cataract in HIV+ patients.

Methods: A total of 32 HIV+ patients, 11 with uveitis/retinitis before surgery and 21 without, mean follow-up 44.9 ± 36.6 months, and 114 HIV- patients, 57 with uveitis/retinitis before surgery and 57 without, were retrospectively compared.

Results: Visual acuity improved in all HIV+ patients (p < 0.001), who were younger (p = 0.01) and more frequently males (p = 0.027). HIV+ patients with uveitis prior surgery improved less (p = 0.046) than HIV- (p < 0.001); their anterior chamber inflammation was similar to baseline. Male sex (p = 0.005), younger age (p < 0.001), dyslipidaemia (p = 0.058), HBV+ (p = 0.037), and unilateral cataract (p = 0.001) were more frequent in HIV+ patients with senile cataract, but they showed the same postoperative course as HIV- patients.

Conclusion: Cataract surgery in HIV+ patients is safe and effective. Uveitis prior to surgery did not significantly affect the postoperative course. Systemic comorbidities are more frequent in HIV+ patients with senile cataract than in HIV- subjects.     

Incidence,Risk Factors and Surgical Outcomes of Cataract among Patients with Uveitis in a University Referral Hospital in Riyadh,Saudi Arabia

Purpose: To investigate incidence, risk factors, and surgical outcomes of cataract among uveitis patients.

Methods: Retrospective review of 1000 patients (1582 eyes).

Results: At initial presentation, cataract was diagnosed in 290 (18.3%) eyes and was most common in eyes with anterior uveitis. Fuchs’ uveitis, herpetic uveitis, and presumed tuberculous uveitis were leading clinical entities associated with cataract at presentation. During follow-up, cataract developed in additional 200 (12.6%) eyes and was most common in eyes with anterior uveitis. Significant risk factors at presentation included age >18 years, female gender, presence of keratic precipitates, hypopyon, and posterior synechiae. Among the 490 eyes with cataract, 204 underwent cataract extraction during follow-up period. Best corrected vision of ≥20/40 was achieved in 122 (60.1%) eyes.

Conclusions: Incidence of cataract differed depending on anatomic and etiologic diagnoses of uveitis. There is a significant association between severity of inflammation at presentation and development of cataract.     

Cataract surgery in juvenile xanthogranuloma: Case report and a brief review of literature

There is limited literature on the management of cataracts in juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG). A 2-month-old girl presented to us with hyphema, secondary glaucoma OU and skin nodules suggestive of JXG. She developed bilateral cataracts during her follow-up and was treated successfully with cataract surgery and aphakic rehabilitation.