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Purpose: To assess the accuracy of e?Paarvai, an artificial intelligence?based smartphone application (app) that detects and grades cataracts using images taken with a smartphone by comparing with slit lamp?based diagnoses by trained ophthalmologists. Methods: In this prospective diagnostic study conducted between January and April 2022 at a large tertiary?care eye hospital in South India, two screeners were trained to use the app. Patients aged >40 years and with a best?corrected visual acuity <20/40 were recruited for the study. The app is intended to determine whether the eye has immature cataract, mature cataract, posterior chamber intra?ocular lens, or no cataract. The diagnosis of the app was compared with that of trained ophthalmologists based on slit?lamp examinations, the gold standard, and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was estimated. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were computed. Results: The two screeners used the app to screen 2,619 eyes of 1,407 patients. In detecting cataracts, the app showed high sensitivity (96%) but low specificity (25%), an overall accuracy of 88%, a PPV of 92.3%, and an NPV of 57.8%. In terms of cataract grading, the accuracy of the app was high in detecting immature cataracts (1,875 eyes, 94.2%), but its accuracy was poor in detecting mature cataracts (73 eyes, 22%), posterior chamber intra?ocular lenses (55 eyes, 29.3%), and clear lenses (2 eyes, 2%). We found that the area under the curve in predicting ophthalmologists’ cataract diagnosis could potentially be improved beyond the app’s diagnosis based on using images only by incorporating information about patient sex and age (P < 0.0001) and best?corrected visual acuity (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Although there is room for improvement, e?Paarvai app is a promising approach for diagnosing cataracts in difficult?to?reach populations. Integrating this with existing outreach programs can enhance the case detection rate.
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Purpose: To compare the slit?lamp method and wavefront aberrometry method based on outcomes of toric realignment surgeries. Settings: Tertiary care ophthalmic hospital. Design: Retrospective study. Methods: This study included all eyes undergoing toric intraocular lens (TIOL) realignment surgery between January 2019 and December 2021 for which TIOL axis assessment by slit?lamp method and wavefront aberrometry method was available. Data were retrieved from electronic medical records, and we documented demographics, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), subjective refraction, and TIOL axis by slit?lamp and wavefront aberrometry methods on postoperative day 1 and day 14. In patients with misalignment, TIOL was realigned to the original position in group 1 (27 patients) and to an axis based on calculations provided by wavefront aberrometer in group 2 (25 patients). Post?realignment surgery, UCVA, subjective refraction, and TIOL axis by slit?lamp and wavefront aberrometry methods were assessed and analyzed. Results: We analyzed 52 eyes and found that the mean preoperative misalignment with the slit?lamp method (44.9° ±20.0°) and wavefront aberrometry (47.1° ±19.5°) was similar. The corresponding degrees of misalignment post?TIOL repositioning surgeries were 5.2° ±5.2° (slit?lamp method) and 4.7° ±5.1° (wavefront aberrometry) (P = 0.615). Both groups showed significant improvement in median log of minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) UCVA and reduction in median refractive cylinder. Conclusions: Slit?lamp method is as good as wavefront aberrometer method to assess TIOL axis. Toric realignment surgery is found to be safe, and realigning TIOL based on either slit?lamp method or wavefront aberrometer method equally improved UCVA and decreased residual refractive cylinder.
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Purpose: To compare the clinical outcomes of femtosecond laser–assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) versus conventional phacoemulsification (CP) in terms of refractive outcomes, cumulative dissipated energy, and intraoperative complications. Methods: In this retrospective study performed in a tertiary care ophthalmic hospital, we reviewed 2124 eyes that underwent FLACS or CP. Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), cumulative dissipated energy (CDE), and intraoperative complications were analyzed in the study. Results: Out of 2124 eyes, 873 underwent FLACS and 1251 underwent CP. The postoperative mean UCVA after one month was 0.05 ± 0.11 logMAR and 0.14 ± 0.23 logMAR for FLACS and CP, respectively (P < 0.00001). Mean CDVA one month post operation was 0.02 ± 0.07 logMAR and 0.06 ± 0.19 logMAR for FLACS and CP, respectively (P < 0.0001). The CDE for the FLACS group was 6.17 ± 3.86 (P < 0.00001) and it was 9.74 ± 6.02 for the CP group. The intraoperative complication for the FLACS group was 1.60% and the CP group was 2.39% (P < 0.00001). Conclusion: The visual outcomes were better in FLACS compared to CP. The CDE was lower for the FLACS group and FLACS had significantly less intraoperative complications
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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate trainee performance across six modules of a virtual reality (VR) simulator. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted on 10 manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS) trainees who practiced cataract surgery on an MSICS VR simulator for one month. They were assessed in six major steps which included scleral groove, tunnel dissection, keratome entry, capsulorhexis, nucleus delivery, and intraocular lens (IOL) insertion under a trainer抯 supervision. The information included in their score metrics was collected, and their overall performance was evaluated. Results: Thirty attempts were evaluated for scleral groove, tunnel dissection, and capsulorhexis and 15 attempts for keratome entry. Candidates had varied results in the dimensional aspects and their rates of complications with a mean satisfactory score of 3.1 � 4.17, 6.8 � 5.75, 5.8 � 7.74, and 1.8 � 2.57, respectively. Nucleus delivery (n = 5) had more of iris pull and IOL insertion (n = 5) had more of lost IOL as complications but both had a higher satisfactory outcome. Conclusion: A VR simulator is a useful tool for training surgeons before their entry into live surgery. It is an effective method for evaluating objectively the structural characteristics of each phase in MSICS and their associated complications, helping them anticipate it earlier during live surgery by giving them a near real world experience.
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Purpose: To study the intraoperative complications and postoperative clinical outcomes in different types of posterior polar cataract (PPC) following phacoemulsification, based on morphological classification. Methods: All consecutive patients with PPC who underwent phacoemulsification during the study period from 2016 to 2019 were included and sub?grouped based on the morphological characteristics according to Daljit Singh’s classification. Intraoperative complications such as posterior capsular rupture (PCR), vitreous loss, nucleus drop, and Postoperative best?corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at day 1 and day 30 were documented. Results: A total of 388 eyes of 380 patients were included. Eighty nine (22.9%) eyes belonged to type 1, 135 (34.8%) belonged to type 2, 8 (2.1%) belonged to type 3, and 156 (40.2%) belonged to type 4. Thirty?five (9.3%) eyes had intraoperative PCR, with vitreous loss in 21 (60%) eyes, and nucleus/cortex drop in 5 (1.3%) eyes. Six (75%) eyes of type 3, 14 (10.04%) eyes of type 2, 12 (17.7%) eyes of type 4, and 3 (3.4%) eyes of type 1 PPC had PCR. PCR occurred more during the emulsification of the nucleus (18 cases, 51.4%). A significant correlation was seen between intraoperative PCR and type of PPC with a higher incidence in type 3 (P < 0.001). BCVA was found to be significantly worse on day 1 among patients with PCR compared to those who did not and improved well by day 30. Conclusion: PPC morphology is significantly co?related with the occurrence of PCR, emphasizing the need for careful grading of posterior polar cataracts in predicting the risk of intraoperative complications.
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Background: Even though rare, posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL)?bag complex dislocation is a serious complication following cataract surgery. Preoperative trauma or zonular weakness, capsule contraction syndrome, and surgical or postoperative trauma to the zonules have been proposed as the causative mechanism. Various risk factors have been described such as pseudoexfoliation (PXF), aging, high myopia, uveitis, trauma, previous vitreoretinal surgery, retinitis pigmentosa, diabetes mellitus, and connective tissue disorders, among which PXF is the most common risk factor. The management of late IOL?bag complex dislocation poses a challenge even for an experienced surgeon. Purpose: To demonstrate the “stay back technique” of scleral fixation of decentered IOL?bag complex. Synopsis: We demonstrate three cases of scleral fixation of anteriorly dislocated IOL?bag complex. The first two cases are traumatic subluxation of IOL?bag complex and the third case is late decentration of both the haptics in a case of PXF. A scleral flap/groove is made along the area of haptic dislocation. Dislocated haptic is allowed to stay in the same position and one arm of 9?0 prolene suture is passed between the optic?haptic junction and docked in a 26?gauge needle passed beneath the scleral flap, 2 mm from the limbus. Haptic is then repositioned beneath the iris and the second arm of prolene suture is passed above the haptic. Sutures are pulled underneath the scleral flap and secured with 5 to 6 knots. Highlights: This is a simplified approach of scleral fixation of anteriorly dislocated IOL?bag complex. This novel technique gives better visualization of the optic?haptic junction during the passage of prolene suture
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Purpose: To analyze the reasons for delay in cataract surgery in patients with advanced cataracts during the COVID?19 pandemic. Methods: This was a prospective, cross?sectional, multicenter questionnaire study which included patients with mature cataract, nuclear sclerotic cataract grade IV, and cataracts with best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) <5/60, during the COVID?19 pandemic from December 2020 to April 2021. Reasons for delay in presentation to the hospital were analyzed. Results: One thousand four hundred seventy two patients were recruited with advanced cataracts. Absence of ophthalmic care nearby (44.2%), lack of awareness regarding elective surgeries (42.6%), lack of public transportation (37%), fear of contracting COVID?19 (23.4%), and waiting for outreach camps (20.4%) were found to be the reasons behind the delay in cataract surgery. 53.7% of the patients had worsening of defective vision and 55.3% of them had difficulty in carrying out activities of family living. 30.8% of the patients faced difficulty in commuting and 8.4% of the patients suffered a fall during this pandemic due to worsening of the visual acuity. Conclusion: The lockdown imposed during the pandemic has created a significant backlog of patients who are progressing to advanced cataracts due to lack of ophthalmic care nearby, lack of awareness regarding elective surgeries, lack of public transportation, and no outreach camps. Proactive measures to deal with this backlog are of utmost need to prevent blindness due to cataract
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Background: Iris root is the thinnest and weakest portion of the iris stroma. It can detach easily due to blunt trauma or accidental engagement of the iris during intraocular surgery resulting in glare, photophobia and monocular diplopia. Multiple techniques described for iridodialysis repair such as hang back technique, stroke and dock technique and sewing machine technique are technically challenging. Purpose: To describe an simplified approach of iridodialysis repair using 9?0 prolene suture. Synopsis: We demonstrate the technique of iridodialysis repair using animation for better understanding. Scleral flap is made adjacent to the iridodialysis area and a paracentesis is made oppsite to the iridodialysis. One arm of the double armed straight needle with 9?0 prolene suture is passed through the paracentesis into the iris root and docked in the 26G needle which is passed underneath the scleral flap 1.5mm posterior to the limbus. Then the needle is pulled out underneath the scleral flap and the manoeuvre is repeated for the second arm as well. The sutures are secured with 5?6 knots under the scleral flap. Intra? operative surgical videos of two patients with traumatic cataract and iridodialysis following blunt trauma are shown. After stabilizing the detached iris using iris hooks, phacoemlsification is done with implantation of foldable acrylic IOL, followed by iridodialysis repair as described above. Both the patients were relieved of their pre?operative symtoms and had good visual recovery. Highlights: We describe a simplified approach of iridodialysis repair that can significantly reduce the patient’s troublesome symptoms such as glare and monocular double vision.