Radial thermokeratoplasty for the correction of bilateral moderate hyperopia: a case report

This report concerns the results, traced over a 5-year follow-up period, of bilateral contact radial thermokeratoplasty to correct moderate hyperopia performed on a 34-year-old woman at the Institute of Ocular Microsurgery in Moscow in 1987. For several weeks postoperatively, the patient complained of intense photophobia, tearing and congested eyes. Complete epithelialization occurred only after 10 months. The lines of traction in the corneal stroma between the coagulate circles could be seen even 12 months after surgery. There was no significant improvement in the unaided vision of both eyes, no improvement in visual functions, and the asthenopic manifestations remained the same

Disadvantages and complications of corneal incisions in cataract/implant surgery in Abu Dhabi

A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate corneal incisions as a means of opening the eye for cataract surgery with or without implantation of an intraocular lens. The records of one hundred citizens of the United Arab Emirates [UAE] were reviewed. The patients in the study were selected randomly from amongst all those who had undergone cataract surgery and met the following criteria: they were native to the UAE; only one eye was evaluated in each patient; no complications had been encountered during their surgery; and they had been followed up for at least 2 years. Sequelae recorded include early postoperative, localized corneal edema; peripheral corneal vascularization; loose, biodegraded, or ruptured sutures; giant papillary conjunctivitis; and astigmatism. Removal of the 10 - 0 nylon sutures under topical anesthesia at the slit lamp was found to be an impracticable procedure in the majority of patients and frequently required use of operating room facilities, which was another disadvantage of this approach. As a result of the findings of this study, the author has abandoned the use of corneal incisions for cataract surgery except when specifically indicated

Design of needles used in ophthalmic microsurgery

A range of microneedles has been specifically developed to meet the demanding requirements of todays microsurgery. Surgical needles are usually hand-made from high quality stainless steel and are manufactured in a wide spectrum of types, shapes, and lengths. Choice of needle design and geometry is dictated by many factors, among them the location, accessibility, and nature of the tissue to be sutured. Because corneoscleral tissue is tough, dense, compact and resistant, the best needle design for cataract microsurgery comprises a combination of a triangular cutting profile at the tip, with transition to a spatula-like cutting profile in the body. A length of 5 to 6 mm, a diameter of 150 to 300 micro, and a radius of curvature of 2.00 to 2.75 mm have been found most convenient, with a half-or a 3/8-circle [135°], or a bicurve shape. Needles of 5/8-circle [225°] are unsuitable for cataract microsurgery. Flat [ski] needles and half-curved needles are used for passing suture material, especially fascia lata and steel wire, for long distances, Quarter-circle [90°] spatulated needles are ideal for strabismus surgery

Some aspects of cataract and anterior segment disease in Abu Dhabi

This retrospective study was conducted on an unbiased selection of 200 patients with clear evidence of cataract, seen in the Eye Clinic of Al Jazeira Hospital in Abu Dhabi. Full ophthalmic examination details were recorded and some aspects of cataract were studied in detail. It was found that patients with cataract present late for surgery, and the use of spectacles for optical correction in not very prevalent in patients of this age-group. Details of the high incidence of trachoma, pterygium, corneal disorders, and glaucoma among these patients were analyzed, and conclusions were drawn from this study on how cataract surgical procedures and techniques require modification because of these associated diseases