Cataract

The trend for advances in intraoperative imaging systems and linking of diagnostic and surgical technology continued in 2015, bringing cataract surgeons more opportunity for increasing workflow efficiency and improving patient outcomes.

New alloplastic materials are being used as intracorneal inlays to offer predictable and safe refractive surgical correction of presbyopia and low hyperopia. The major problem with such inlays is the wound-healing response following their insertion; however, they can easily be removed.

The authors assess the quantitative and qualitative aspects of vision following various lens- and corneal-based therapies for presbyopia. In many cases the KAMRA corneal inlay offers a long-term solution. It can easily be removed if the patient is not satisfied with the outcome.

This article discusses the advantages and limitations for surgical compensation of presbyopia with the femtosecond laser using corneal inlays and the Intracor technique.

IOLs are proving to provide new options for cataract surgeons as well as entryways for more advanced research trials.

Technologies and techniques such as femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery and microinvasive glaucoma surgery may be guiding the way for future cataract surgeries.

Although no new drug therapies entered cataract surgeons’ armamentarium in 2015, interest continues to grow in approaches for intraocular administration.

A small study of using a new contact lens to treat corneal edema after cataract surgery reported positive results.

The availability of a new cataract surgery platform from Abbott Medical Optics (AMO) marks the second phacoemulsification system launched by the company in the United States this year.

Working in an ambulatory surgery center can be a good choice for ophthalmologists, particularly cataract surgeons, because they let them use their time efficiently while delivering excellent care without the hassles of working in a larger hospital setting where ophthalmology may not be a priority.

A software upgrade (Streamline) for the LENSAR Laser System (LENSAR) adds new capabilities for automated data transfer, iris registration, astigmatic correction, and lens analysis and fragmentation that enhance accuracy, efficiency, and outcomes in cataract surgery.

The annual “Cataract Surgery: Telling It Like It Is!” meeting has grown so much that after five years, it has had to relocate from Sarasota to Naples, Florida, to accommodate all the attendees and exhibitors.

A new contact lens to treat corneal edema after cataract surgery had favorable results in a group of 33 patients with corneal edema after extracapsular cataract extraction and IOL implantation and refractive lens exchange.

The introduction of a femtosecond laser for cataract surgery into a practice can bring the concern for the potental loss of efficiency. A Louisville surgeon provides some solid advice and shares some strategies to make this new technology as efficient as possible.

Patients treated with Omidria (phenylephrine and ketorolac injection 1%/0.3%, Omeros) reported significantly less early postoperative pain following cataract surgery or IOL exchange than patients treated with placebo and also had significantly lower analgesic use. These findings suggest that use of Omidria could help improve patient satisfaction with these procedures.

The rate of postoperative cystoid macular edema was lower in a recent study of nearly 1,000 cataract surgery patients at two sites using intravitreal transzonular antibiotic and steroid prophylaxis than in previous studies with topical administration.

Ophthalmologists discuss the importance of routine contrast sensitivity and glare testing in cataract-age adults and specifically the use of a platform that includes a real-world driver’s scene.

A pinhole implant placed in the ciliary sulcus can improve visual acuity and reduce dysphotic symptoms in pseudophakic eyes with irregular corneal astigmatism. Implantation is even easier with the latest version of the investigational device

In pediatric cataract surgery, use of an ocular sealant not only also helps prevent wound leakage but also provides extra protection against eye rubbing and wound manipulation.

In this third of a four-part column, Arun C. Gulani, MD, continues the discussion on staged cataract surgery.

Cystoid macular edema can permanently alter vision, so it is highly crucial to utilize best practices for treating the cataract surgery complication.

Physicians around the world should begin tabulating their results according to common standards, an international committee has proposed.

Dr Wolffsohn presents the results of a survey completed by eye care practitioners worldwide regarding their current practices on anterior eye health recording. Recommendations on best practice are also presented, based on these study findings.

This article presents recent epidemiological findings outlining the association between cataract surgery, potential visual acuity gains, glaucoma and the risk of undergoing additional general anaesthesia in under 2s. The authors of the original study concluded that use of IOLs in cataract surgery in young children should be critically reassessed, particularly in settings/communities where close, long-term follow-up is challenging.

This review presents a therapeutic nanowafer as an alternative to eye drops for dry eye disease, designed to enhance efficacy and improve patient compliance to treatment. In an experimental animal study, the novel dexamethasone nanowafer drug delivery system was comparable in efficacy to twice-daily dexamethasone eye drop treatment and has the potential to minimise risk of cataract formation and glaucoma.

Findings from a study undertaken at Dr Lovisolo’s practice indicate that in carefully-selected patients, a triple procedure, comprising Keraring implantation followed by accelerated CXL and topo-guided ablation can provide significant functional improvement in cases of progressive keratoconus.

In this article, Dr Pajic presents an observational case series illustrating his initial experiences with the new Z8 laser system for cataract surgery in terms of both performance and safety.

A small review recently found 28 different names for the procedure, and the chances are there are even more currently in use.

Switching from brand to generic eye drops for surgical prophylaxis following cataract surgery caused no difference in endophthalmitis rates and resulted in substantial cost savings in a single-center comparison.