Morphology of functioning trabeculectomy blebs using anterior segment optical coherence tomography.

Purpose: To image trabeculectomy blebs using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS‑OCT), and to correlate the bleb morphologic features at one month postoperatively with bleb function at six months. Materials and Methods: This prospective, observational study included 56 eyes undergoing trabeculectomy with MMC, followed up for minimum of six months. Postoperatively, bleb imaging was done using AS‑OCT at one and six month. Bleb morphology was assessed for bleb wall reflectivity, bleb pattern in multiform reflectivity, visibility of drainage route and presence of hyper‑reflectivity area. Bleb function was considered successful if IOP was <18 mmHg without medication at six month. Bleb morphology one month postoperatively was correlated with bleb function at six months. Results: At six months successful bleb function was noted in 44 (81.5%) eyes. Morphology of bleb at one month showed uniform bleb wall reflectivity in 6 eyes (11%) and multiform wall reflectivity in 48 eyes (89%). In eyes with multiform wall reflectivity, microcysts with multiple layers was seen in 26 eyes (48%), microcysts with subconjunctival separation in 12 eyes (22%) and only microcyst in 10 eyes (19%). When bleb features at one month were correlated with the bleb function at six months, logistic regression analysis revealed that blebs with multiform reflectivity with multiple internal layers with microcysts were associated with higher chances of success (P < 0.001). Conclusion: AS‑OCT demonstrated early bleb morphological features that may be used to predict the functioning of a bleb. Multiform bleb wall reflectivity with a pattern of multiple internal layers and microcysts was associated with increased chances of success of a bleb.

Comparison between Ringer's lactate and balanced salt solution on postoperative outcomes after phacoemulsfication: A randomized clinical trial.

Aim: To compare the effects of balanced salt solution (BSS) and Ringer's lactate (RL) on corneal thickness, endothelial morphology, and postoperative anterior chamber inflammation in eyes undergoing phacoemulsification. Setting: Iladevi cataract and IOL research center, Ahmedabad, India. Materials and Methods: This prospective randomized study comprised 90 consecutive patients with age-related cataract who were randomly assigned to either Group 1 (n = 45) with BSS or Group 2 (n = 45) with RL. Observations made included measurement of central corneal thickness (CCT), presence of anterior chamber flare and cells, endothelial cell loss, and change in coefficient of variation (CV). Data was analyzed using Mann Whitney test and test of proportion. Results: Mean increase in CCT on postoperative Day 1 was 58microm and 97microm in Groups 1 and 2 respectively ( P = 0.01). Increase in CCT at one month was 10microm and 11microm in Groups 1 and 2 respectively ( P = 0.99); increase in CCT at three months was 3microm and 6microm in Groups 1 and 2 respectively ( P = 0.86). Number of eyes with flare grades in a range of 0 to 3 was statistically higher in Group 2 on postoperative Day 1 ( P = 0.004, 0.016, < 0.001, 0.047 for Grade 0, 1, 2 and 3 respectively). Number of eyes with cells of Grade 3 on first postoperative day was significantly higher in Group 2 as compared to Group 1 ( P = 0.004). Three months postoperatively, endothelial cell loss was 5.5% and 7.8% in Groups 1 and 2 ( P = 0.21) and change in CV was 3 and 5.4 in Groups 1 and 2 ( P = 0.20) respectively. Conclusion: BSS offers a significant advantage over RL in terms of increase in corneal thickness and postoperative inflammation on the first postoperative day in patients undergoing phacoemulsification.

The probable associations for corticocapsular adhesions in patients undergoing cataract surgery: A clinic-based observational study.

Background: Corticocapsular adhesions (CCA) are frequently seen between lens capsule and adjacent cortical layer. During cataract surgery, in the presence of CCA, excessive efforts to rotate the nucleus can result in zonular damage. To reduce morbidity, identification of associations with CCA can be helpful in appropriately modifying the surgical procedure. Aim: To investigate probable associations with CCA in patients undergoing cataract surgery. Setting and Design: Iladevi Cataract and IOL research center. Case-control study. Materials and Methods: A single eye of 600 patients, 200 patients with CCA (cases) and 400 patients without CCA (controls) were considered. A CCA diagnosis was based on: (i) preoperative presence of CCA on slit-lamp examination with visualization of furry surface of cortex during surgery; (ii) preoperative absence of CCA on slit-lamp examination but intraoperative visualization of furry surface of cortex. Variables such as age, gender, type of cataract, grade of cataract, high myopia, diabetes mellitus and hypertension were studied. Statistical Analysis: Multivariate logistic regression was done. Results were presented as odds ratio (OR) with 95% CI. Results: Mean age was 64.71 +/- 9.10 years in cases and 59.27 +/- 8.79 years in controls. Presence of CCA increased with age from 22% (n = 59) in 45 to 49 years to 70% (n = 110) in 70 to 79 years. An increase in age was associated with CCA by 3.3% (OR = 3.3%, P = 0.028). The odds of CCA for females were 83% higher ( P = 0.027). Presence of anterior cortical cataract increased odds of CCA by 9.5 times ( P = 0.001), while posterior cortical cataract increased odds by 3.3 times ( P = 0.001). Conclusion: Corticocapsular adhesions were strongly associated with cortical cataracts, increased age and female gender.