ABSTRACT
Purpose: To compare the tear meniscus height (TMH) and tear meniscus depth (TMD) between medically controlled glaucoma subjects and age?matched controls. Methods: This prospective, cross?sectional, observational study included 50 patients with medically controlled glaucoma and 50 age?matched controls. Glaucoma subjects using topical medications for the duration of more than 1 year were included. The age?matched controls were participants with no history of glaucoma, dry eye, or any other diseases affecting the ocular surface. All the participants underwent TMH and TMD scan using spectral domain?optical coherence tomography (SD?OCT), which was followed by ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire administration. Results: The mean ages of glaucoma subjects and age?matched controls were 40 ± 22 and 39 ± 21 years, respectively (P > 0.05). Of them, 40% (n = 22) were on single drug therapy or monotherapy and 60% (n = 28) were on multidrug therapy. TMH and TMD of glaucoma subjects and age?matched controls were 101.27 ± 31.86 versus 230.63 ± 49.82 ?m and 70.60 ± 27.41 versus 167.37 ± 57.06 ?m, respectively. Subjects on multidrug therapy showed a statistically significant reduction in TMH and TMD when compared to age?matched controls. Conclusion: Preservative containing topical glaucoma medications affects the ocular surface, including the tear film. The prolonged duration and multiple combination of this drug usage serve as potential factors for causing reduction in the tear meniscus levels leading to drug?induced dryness
ABSTRACT
Phacoemulsification in soft cataracts can be challenging due to the lack of rigid cleavage planes and the inability to crack. We describe a new phacoemulsification technique for dealing with soft cataracts using high vacuum and zero energy. Following capsulorhexis and hydrodissection, we introduced the phacoemulsification probe, keeping the torsional and longitudinal power at zero. A central groove was created in sculpting mode. We held the nucleus with adequate vacuum in chop mode and divided the nucleus. Then, we rotated and chopped the nucleus similarly into small pieces without using any power. For emulsification, we increased the vacuum to 600 mmHg and then shredded and stuffed the pieces into the phaco probe by the chopper. A newer generation phaco machine with active fluidic system and monitored pressurized infusion helps the surgeon control the intraocular pressure (IOP) and hold the nucleus with vacuum alone, allowing chopping and emulsifying of the pieces without any energy.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: The International Council of Ophthalmology?Small Incision Cataract Surgery (ICO?SICS) rubric is a tool to grade SICS steps from novice to competent. The study aimed to evaluate the progress of residents’ surgical skills by using the ICO?SICS rubric and the perceptions of residents and faculties about its use. Methods: This prospective educational interventional study, done in the Ophthalmology department between September 2019 and February?2020 included 14 residents and five faculties. Faculties scored residents’ SICS by ICO?SICS?rubric (four sessions/resident) and helped them identify three steps as “area of focus” to work upon. Feedback was taken using a semi?structured pretested questionnaire. Focus group discussion was done for residents. Data were entered in MS Excel and analyzed using SPSS. Perception analysis presented as percentage of written responses. Results: Step?wise rubric score showed improvement for initial SICS steps and wound closure (P < 0.05). Critical surgical steps and scores for three areas of focus steps showed no statistically significant improvement. Three steps as an area of focus changed partly for 11 residents and completely for three residents at the end of 6 months. Perception analysis of faculty and residents showed that the ICO?SICS rubric is a good tool to record surgical performance, identify steps needing improvement and provide structured feedback hence opined to continue it. Residents considered it as an effective learning and assessment tool. Conclusion: ICO?SICS rubric is a good teaching tool and helps to assess the progress of surgical skills. Identification of areas of poor performance and feedback given motivates them to focus on those areas leading to continuous professional development, resulting in competent surgeons performing SICS surgery independently at the end of the residency