An evaluation of the efficacy of a supplemental computer-based tutorial to enhance the informed consent process for cataract surgery: an exploratory randomized clinical study.

BACKGROUND: To assess whether informing patients with a computer-based tutorial in addition to standard informed consent influences the patient's attitude towards surgery and increases patient's knowledge. METHODS: In this prospective, exploratory, randomized clinical study, patients scheduled for their first eye cataract surgery were randomly allocated to two groups, receiving standard face-to-face informed consent (control group) or additionally using an interactive computer-based tool (CatInfo) containing an audiovisual presentation about cataract and its treatment (study group). Cataract-related knowledge and decisional confidence (decisional conflict scale (DCS)) were assessed as well as one-month postoperatively decisional regret (decision regret scale (DRS)) and willingness to exchange face-to-face discussion time for the use of such a tool. RESULTS: The study comprised 134 patients, 64 patients in the study group and 70 in the control group. Patients in the study group answered more questions correctly, 16.3 ± 2.0 (median 16.5, 11.0-19.0) versus 15.5 ± 1.9 (median 16.0, 8.0-19.0; p = 0.01). Patients showed a high decisional confidence with a study group mean DCS score of 92.4 ± 9.8 (median 96.9, 65.6-100) and control group score of 91.6 ± 10.9 (median 95.3, 43.3-100; p = 0.52). Mean DRS score in the study group was 2.5 ± 8.0 (median 0, 0-40) and 4.3 ± 12.5 (median 0, 0-75) in the control group (p = 0.14). Of study group patients 23 (67.6%) were willing to trade time, on average 158 ± 180 s (median 120 s, 45-900). Satisfaction with the tool was high with a mean of 9.1 ± 1.3 out of 10 (median 9.7, 5.0-10). CONCLUSIONS: Cataract-related knowledge was generally good, with slightly higher scores in the study group. In both groups, decisional confidence was high and regret after surgery was low. A tendency towards slightly higher decisional confidence and lower regret was found in the study group, although these differences were not statistically significant. Additional use of an interactive computer-based tool may prove useful in the informed consent process in a high-volume cataract outpatient setting. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04975126. Retrospectively registered - July 23, 2021.

Visual performance after bilateral toric extended depth-of-focus IOL exchange targeted for micromonovision.

PURPOSE: To evaluate overall patient satisfaction, spectacle independence, binocular visual acuity, rotational stability, prevalence of optical phenomena, and decentration and tilt after bilateral toric extended depth-of-focus intraocular lens (EDOF IOL) implantation targeted for micromonovision. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Hanusch Hospital, Vienna, Austria. DESIGN: Prospective case series. METHODS: The study included 52 eyes of 26 patients with regular corneal astigmatism from 0.75 to 2.60 diopters (D) that were implanted bilaterally with a toric EDOF IOL targeted for micromonovision. Postoperative visual acuity, astigmatism reduction, rotation, tilt, decentration, spectacle independence, patient satisfaction, and photic phenomena were assessed. RESULTS: For the 52 eyes studied, binocular means expressed in logarithm of the minimum angle resolution for postoperative corrected distance, uncorrected distance, uncorrected intermediate, and uncorrected near visual acuities were -0.10 (±0.12), -0.01 (±0.13), 0.01 (±0.14), and 0.13 (±0.14), respectively. Mean refractive astigmatism reduction was 1.31 ± 0.67 D resulting in a mean refractive cylinder of 0.47 ± 0.46 D at the 3-month visit. Mean postoperative rotation was 3.5 ± 3.5 degrees, at the 3-month time point. Most prevalent dysphotopsia were halos, starburst, and glare affecting 6 (23%), 6 (23%), and 5 (19%) of 26 patients, respectively; 20 (77%) of 26 patients reported spectacle independence, with 19 (95%), 19 (95%), and 14 (70%) of 20 patients questioned being satisfied with distance, intermediate, and near vision, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Toric EDOF IOL implantation targeted for micromonovision resulted in reliable reduction of preoperative astigmatism with a high degree of postoperative rotational predictability and centration, enabling functional distance, intermediate, and near vision, which manifested itself in high patient satisfaction.

Effect of Air Tamponade on Postoperative Visual Acuity and Intraretinal Cystoid Changes after Peeling of Idiopathic Epiretinal Membranes in Pseudophakic Patients.

PURPOSE: Epiretinal membrane is a macular disorder leading to metamorphopsia and decreased visual acuity. The aim of the present study was to assess the possible effects of air tamponade, balanced salt solution (BSS), and combined phacoemulsification on functional and anatomical outcomes. PROCEDURES: This prospective exploratory analysis included 72 eyes with idiopathic epiretinal membranes, scheduled to undergo 23-G pars plana vitrectomy with membrane peeling. Air tamponade or BSS was used in all cases. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging was performed intraoperatively, and follow-up including visual acuity testing and OCT measurements was conducted until 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Mean best-corrected visual acuity improved between +2.1 and +3.1 letters, and mean central subfield thickness of the macula decreased between -29.6 and -76 µm in the examined groups, without significant differences between the air tamponade and BSS groups. There was no significant difference in the presence of intraretinal cystoid changes between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The use of air tamponade did not show any significant differences in the anatomical and functional postoperative results compared to BSS. Furthermore, phacovitrectomy did not result in significantly more intraretinal cystoid changes 3 months after surgery.

Evaluation of an intraoperative toric intraocular lens alignment system using an image-guided system.

PURPOSE: To evaluate an intraoperative toric intraocular lens (IOL) alignment system using a dedicated operating microscope with an image-guided system without preoperative corneal marking. SETTING: Vienna Institute for Research in Ocular Surgery, Department of Ophthalmology, Hanusch Hospital, Vienna, Austria. DESIGN: Prospective case series. METHODS: In this prospective study, a new operating microscope system was used for cataract surgery (toric IOL alignment system of the OPMI Lumera 700 microscope and CALLISTO eye software). This system allows toric IOL alignment by matching limbal vessels from a preoperative photograph with the live image of the microscope. The preoperative photograph was taken with IOLMaster 500, which included a "Reference Image Attachment" system (red-free image), and this was used to track and follow the eye during surgery. After surgery, rotational alignment was assessed and compared with the preoperative axis calculation. At 1 hour postoperatively, a retroilluminaton photograph was taken, and then rotational alignment was compared with the preoperative axis calculation to see the rotational stability. RESULTS: Fifty eyes of 50 patients were included. The feasibility of the intraoperative marking was high. Deviation between the postoperative (at the end of surgery in the operating room) and aimed IOL axes was 0.52 degrees ± 0.56 (SD). The deviation between 1 hour postoperatively and the aimed IOL axes was 5.10 ± 4.45 degrees. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative toric IOL alignment using an image-guided system was an accurate and fast procedure resulting in precise toric IOL alignment, and the system simplified the positioning of toric IOLs. There was a slight rotation of IOLs shortly after surgery (within the first hour).

Risk factors for postoperative intraretinal cystoid changes after peeling of idiopathic epiretinal membranes among patients randomized for balanced salt solution and air-tamponade.

PURPOSE: Epiretinal membranes (ERM) are macular disorders leading to loss of vision and metamorphopsia. Vitrectomy with membrane peeling displays the gold standard of care. Aim of this study was to assess risk factors for postoperative intraretinal cystoid changes in a study population randomized for balanced salt solution and air-tamponade at the end of surgery. METHODS: A prospective randomized study, including 69 eyes with idiopathic ERM. Standard 23-gauge three-port pars plana vitrectomy with membrane peeling, using intraoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT), was performed. Randomization for BSS and air-tamponade was performed prior to surgery. RESULTS: Best-corrected visual acuity improved from 32.9 letters to 45.1 letters 3 months after surgery. Presence of preoperative intraretinal cystoid changes was found to be the only risk factor for presence of postoperative intraretinal cystoid changes 3 months after surgery (p = 0.01; odds ratio: 8.0). Other possible risk factors such as combined phacoemulsification with 23G-ppv and membrane peeling (p = 0.16; odds ratio: 2.4), intraoperative subfoveal hyporeflective zones (p = 0.23; odds ratio: 2.6), age over 70 years (p = 0.29; odds ratio: 0.5) and air-tamponade (p = 0.59; odds ratio: 1.5) were not found to be significant. CONCLUSION: There is strong evidence that preoperative intraretinal cystoid changes lead to smaller benefit from surgery.

Internal limiting membrane flap transposition for surgical repair of macular holes in primary surgery and in persistent macular holes.

PURPOSE: Classical or temporal internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap transposition with air or gas tamponade are current trends with the potential to improve surgical results, especially in cases with large macular holes. METHODS: A prospective case series included patients with idiopathic macular holes or persistent macular holes after 23-G pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and ILM peeling with gas tamponade. In all patients, 23-G PPV and ILM peeling with ILM flap transposition with gas tamponade and postoperative face-down position was performed. RESULTS: In 7 of 9 eyes, temporal ILM flap transposition combined with pedicle ILM flap could be successfully performed and macular holes were closed in all eyes after surgery. The remaining 2 eyes were converted to pedicle ILM flap transposition with macular hole closure after surgery. Three eyes were scheduled as pedicle ILM flap transposition due to previous ILM peeling. In 2 of these eyes, the macular hole could be closed with pedicle ILM flap transposition. In 3 eyes, free ILM flap transposition was performed and in 2 of these eyes macular hole could be closed after surgery, whereas in 1 eye a second surgery, performed as pedicle ILM flap transposition, was performed and led to successful macular hole closure. CONCLUSIONS: Use of ILM flaps in surgical repair of macular hole surgery is a new option of treatment with excellent results independent of the diameter of macular holes. For patients with persistent macular holes, pedicle ILM flap transposition or free ILM flap transposition are surgical options.

Diagnostic precision of a microscope-integrated intraoperative OCT device in patients with epiretinal membranes.

PURPOSE: Preoperative and postoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) of macular pathologies can be regarded as the gold standard diagnostic technique, providing detailed information on the microstructures of the macula for planning the surgical procedure and comparing improvements after surgery in the follow-up period. Intraoperative use of OCT is a novel application to support surgeons during macular surgery. The aim of this study was to examine the diagnostic precision of a microscope-integrated intraoperative spectral-domain OCT (i-OCT) device and compare imaging results to a stand-alone spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT) device. METHODS: This prospective study included 41 eyes of 41 patients scheduled for pars plana vitrectomy with membrane peeling due to an idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM). Intraoperative imaging with the i-OCT device was performed at the beginning of the surgery and compared to preoperative SD-OCT images. RESULTS: Preoperative and intraoperative SD-OCT evaluations showed high intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility for the presence of ERM, lamellar macular hole, and vitreomacular traction. For intraretinal cystoid changes, intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility for both OCTs was rather poor, mainly due to microcystic changes. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative spectral-domain OCT offers high reproducibility regarding the visibility of ERM, lamellar macular holes, and vitreomacular traction. Microcystic changes cause discrepancies in interpretation, often simply diagnosed as retinal thickening.

Visualizing Macular Structures During Membrane Peeling Surgery With an Intraoperative Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Device.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the quality of intraoperative visualization of the posterior hyaloid, epiretinal membrane (ERM), inner limiting membrane (ILM), and hyporeflective subfoveal zone with a commercially available, microscope-integrated spectral-domain OCT setup (mi-SD-OCT) (Rescan 700; Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Germany). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty patients prospectively scheduled for pars plana vitrectomy with membrane peeling due to an idiopathic ERM were included. Standard 23-gauge, three-port pars plana vitrectomy with membrane peeling and staining of the ERM with a trypan blue-based chromovitrectomy dye was performed in all cases. Intraoperative SD-OCT was performed before and after peeling and visualization of the posterior hyaloid, ERM, ILM, and presence of subfoveal hyporeflective zones were examined. OCT follow-ups were performed 2 days and 3 months after surgery. The study was approved by the local ethics committee of the city of Vienna. RESULTS: Successful intraoperative visualization of ERM by mi-SD-OCT was possible in all cases. The posterior hyaloid and ILM could not be seen in the mi-SD-OCT scans, whereas an intraoperative subfoveal hyporeflective zone presented in 35% of cases. In 12.5% an independent subfoveal hyporeflective zone presented postoperatively. Visual acuity improved in 93.8% of patients after surgery. CONCLUSION: mi-SD-OCT appears to be a valuable tool for intraoperative visualization of the ERM and offers immediate visualization of retinal anatomy during peeling. Therefore, it adds to the understanding of intraoperative traumatic changes due to the peeling procedure.