Optical coherence tomography as a diagnostic intervention before cataract surgery-a review.

The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review of existing literature on OCT screening before cataract surgery. Available literature was evaluated and projections on how it could be applied to enhance postoperative outcomes of cataract surgery were summarised. The PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched for articles pertaining to preoperative OCT screening. Selected articles were qualitatively and quantitatively analysed. Across 9 studies, the addition of OCT macular screening resulted in preoperative detection of macular pathology in 13.7% of eyes that were determined to be normal on fundoscopic examination alone. The types of macular pathology most frequently detected through preoperative OCT screening were interface abnormalities followed by macular degeneration. Comparative analysis of SS-OCT biometer and SD-OCT found that SS-OCT had a sensitivity of 0.48-0.81 in the detection of macular pathology in eyes with pathology diagnosed by SD-OCT. OCT screening prior to cataract surgery results in the detection of occult macular pathology that may influence postoperative visual outcomes in approximately 1 in 10 eyes (13.7%). As a result, OCT screening should be considered in the routine preoperative workup for cataract surgery.

Rapid Rehabilitation With Skin-Muscle Sparing Orbital Exenteration: A Single-Center Series.

AIMS: To examine the features and clinical management of patients who underwent skin-muscle sparing orbital exenteration in a tertiary referral center. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Retrospective case-note review for patients undergoing skin-muscle sparing orbital exenteration at Moorfields Eye Hospital between 1997 and 2012. Patient demographics, clinical features, histopathology, clearance, surgery, adjuvant therapy, and outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients (33 male; 45%) had skin-muscle sparing orbital exenteration at a median age of 63.8 years (median 65.5, range 13-96 years) for malignancies primarily arising in the eyelids (34 cases; 46%), orbit (25 cases; 34%) or conjunctiva (15 cases; 20%). The commonest pathologies were sebaceous carcinoma (20 cases; 27%), melanoma (19 cases; 26%), squamous cell carcinoma (12 cases; 16%), and basal cell carcinoma (9 cases; 12%). The patients had very rapid rehabilitation with primary closure of skin-muscle flaps over the cavity, either directly (63/74 patients; 85%), or with addition of local flaps. Local radiotherapy had been given before exenteration to 18 (24%) patients, was administered after exenteration in 19 (26%) patients, and both before and after surgery in 5 (7%); those having postoperative radiotherapy were referred at 2-3 weeks after exenteration, and the initial prosthetics fitting was started at 3-6 weeks after surgery. Thirty-eight (51%) patients died during a follow-up of 1-164 months (mean 55, median 47 months); 20/38 (53%) died from metastases-although 9/20 had known metastatic disease prior to palliative exenteration. Three patients were alive with apparently inactive metastases at 30, 39, and 140 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: Direct closure of skin-and-muscle flaps is achievable in almost all undergoing orbital exenteration. In contrast to skin-grafting, free myocutaneous flaps or secondary intention healing, this allows early referral if adjunctive orbital radiotherapy is needed, and the initial fitting of prosthetics can be within weeks of surgery. The technique also avoids the much greater donor-site morbidity of other reconstructive techniques, such as local or free myocutaneous flaps.

Can simulators be applied to improve cataract surgery training: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper was to conduct a systematic review of existing literature on simulation-based training of cataract surgery. Available literature was evaluated and projections on how current findings could be applied to cataract surgery training were summarised. The quality of included literature was also assessed. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases were searched for articles pertaining to simulation training in cataract surgery on 18 November 2019. Selected articles were qualitatively analysed. RESULTS: A total of 165 articles were identified out of which 10 met inclusion criteria. Four studies reported construct validity of the EyeSi simulator. Six studies demonstrated improved surgical outcomes corresponding to training on the simulator. Quality assessment of included studies was satisfactory. CONCLUSION: Current studies on simulation training in cataract surgery all point towards it being an effective training tool with low risk of study biases confounding this conclusion. As technology improves, surgical training must embrace and incorporate simulation technology in training.

Cataract surgery in eyes with congenital ocular coloboma.

PURPOSE: To assess the safety, efficacy, and complication rate of phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in patients with congenital uveal coloboma and to evaluate the role of pupilloplasty. METHODS: A retrospective review of 41 eyes (31 patients) with congenital coloboma that underwent phacoemulsification and IOL implantation between September 2012 and September 2018. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data were collected for analysis. RESULTS: The mean patient age at surgery was 53.9 years (range 15-82). The primary indication for surgery was cataract removal for visual improvement, and lens subluxation was additionally present in two eyes (5%) preoperatively. The mean preoperative corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) was 0.90 LogMAR. Phacoemulsification surgery was performed in all cases and nine eyes (22%) had pupilloplasty for pupil reconstitution at the time of the procedure. Surgeon grade varied from trainee surgeon under supervision to consultant. Eight patients (19.5%) had posterior capsular rupture (PCR) with or without vitreous loss requiring anterior vitrectomy. Of these, 2 cases (5%) had dropped nuclear fragments requiring subsequent pars plana vitrectomy and lens fragment removal. The mean postoperative CDVA was 0.62 LogMAR (p = 0.0003). CONCLUSION: Patients with iridolenticular choroidal coloboma appear to be more at risk of complications, as were cases performed by non-consultant surgeons. Contrary, patients with phakodonesis, preoperative anterior chamber vitreous, dense cataracts, and cases were iris hooks used had no significant difference at PCR rate. The risk of postoperative glare and pupilloplasty needs to be considered in cases with good visual potential to avoid a possible second procedure.

Surgical efficiency in femtosecond laser cataract surgery compared with phacoemulsification cataract surgery: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate differences in surgical time, the distance the surgical instrument travelled and number of movements required to complete manual phacoemulsification cataract surgery versus femtosecond laser cataract surgery. DESIGN: Non-randomised comparative case series. SETTING: Single surgery site, Moorfields Eye Hospital, UK. PARTICIPANTS: 40 cataract surgeries of 40 patients. INTERVENTIONS: Laser-assisted and manual phacoemulsification cataract surgery. Laser-assisted surgery cases were performed using the AMO Catalys platform. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Computer vision tracking software PhacoTracking were applied to the recordings to establish the distance the instrument travelled, total number of movements (the number of times an instrument stops and starts moving) and time taken for surgery steps including phacoemulsification, irrigation-aspiration (IA) and overall surgery time. The time taken for laser docking and delivery was not included in the analyses. RESULTS: Data on 19 laser-assisted and 19 manual phacoemulsification surgeries were analysed (two cases were excluded due to insufficient video-recording quality). There were no differences in the number of instrument moves, the distance the instrument travelled or time taken to complete the phacoemulsification stage. However for IA, the number of instrument moves (manual: mean 20 (SD 15) vs laser: mean 38 (SD 22), P=0.008) and time taken (manual: mean 75 s (SD 24) vs laser: mean 108 s (SD 36), P=0.003) were significantly greater for laser cases. For laser versus manual cases overall, there was no difference in number of moves or the distance the instrument travelled, but laser cases took longer (mean 88 s, P=0.049). CONCLUSIONS: Laser cataract surgery cases took longer to complete without accounting for the time taken to complete the laser procedure itself. This appears to be in part due to IA requiring more instrument manoeuvres and taking longer to complete. Data from a large randomised series would better elucidate this relationship.

Incidence of eyelid basal cell carcinoma in England: 2000-2010.

INTRODUCTION: Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) are the most frequently diagnosed type of skin cancer, with eyelid (including canthus) BCCs accounting for a notable proportion of these. Using population-based data from the English Cancer Registries, we report here the incidence of eyelid BCCs in England, for the period 2000-2010. METHODS: ICD-10 and histology codes for eyelid BCCs (including canthus) from the English National Cancer Data Repository were used to identify incident events. Crude incidence rates by age and sex, together with directly standardised incidence rates for eyelid BCCs in England in 3-year cohorts, are presented, in keeping with the reporting practice of the English Cancer Registries. RESULTS: Over the 11-year study period, there were a total of 33 610 recorded eyelid BCCs; 18 146 in females and 15 464 in males. There were regional variations in registrations. Incidence of eyelid BCCs increased with age. No major change in the age-standardised incidence of BCC was observed during the period 2000-2010. Overall, the age-standardised incidence of BCCs during 2008-2010 was similar for males and females (4.51 per 100 000 (95% CI 4.37 to 4.65) and 4.53 per 100 000 (95% CI 4.40 to 4.67), respectively). However, females under 50 years of age had higher incidence rates, and males over 75 years of age had higher rates. CONCLUSIONS: The findings provide the current frequency and distribution of eyelid BCCs in England, highlighting opportunities for health education and improving reporting and registration of events, and for informing service planning.

Patient-reported outcome measuring tools in cataract surgery: Clinical comparison at a tertiary hospital.

PURPOSE: To assess the performance of patient-reported outcome measure questionnaires and determine their appropriateness for routine use in cataract patients. SETTING: Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: Patients having cataract surgery between February and March 2013 were recruited. The following 4 questionnaires-Catquest-9SF, EuroQol 5-dimensions questionnaire (EQ-5D) and visual analog scale (EQ-VAS), National Eye Institute Socioemotional Scale (NEI-SES), and short-form Visual Function Index (VF-8R)-were completed preoperatively and 3 weeks and 3 months postoperatively. The questionnaires' performances were then compared. The paired Student t test and Pearson correlations were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-two patients were recruited; 67.2% and 61.8% completed 3-week and 3-month follow-up, respectively. The changes in the mean scores for the Catquest-9SF, EQ-5D, EQ-VAS, NEI-SES, and VF-8R at 3 weeks were 120.86% (P < .0001), 1.61% (P = .61), 3.37% (P = .09), 16.12% (P = .12), and 61.76 % (P < .0001), respectively. At 3 months, the changes were 162.42% (P < .0001), 4.54% (P = .16), 4.84% (P = .09), 54.63% (P < .0001), and 87.55% (P < .0001), respectively. Correlations between patient-reported outcome measure questionnaires and visual acuity measures were variable and weak at best. CONCLUSIONS: It is feasible to assess patient-reported outcomes in cataract surgery as part of routine clinical practice. In addition, visual acuity might not fully reflect patients' visual function. Clinicians should consider using patient-reported outcome measure questionnaires to facilitate surgical decision-making and outcome monitoring. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: None of the authors has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

The international forum of ophthalmic simulation: developing a virtual reality training curriculum for ophthalmology.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the effect of a structured, supervised, cataract simulation programme on ophthalmic surgeons in their first year of training, and to evaluate the level of skill transfer. METHODS: Trainees with minimal intraocular and simulator experience in their first year of ophthalmology undertook a structured, sequential, customised, virtual reality (VR) cataract training programme developed through the International Forum of Ophthalmic Simulation. A set of one-handed, bimanual, static and dynamic tasks were evaluated before and after the course and scores obtained. Statistical significance was evaluated with the Wilcoxon sign-rank test. RESULTS: The median precourse score of 101.50/400 (IQR 58.75-145.75) was significantly improved after completing the training programme ((postcourse score: 302/400, range: 266.25-343), p<0.001). While improvement was evident and found to be statistically significant in all parameters, greatest improvements were found for capsulorhexis and antitremor training ((Capsulorhexis: precourse score=0/100, range 0-4.5; postcourse score=81/100, range 13-87.75; p=0.002), (antitremor training: precourse score=0/100, range 0-0; postcourse score=80/100, range 60.25-91.50; p=0.001)). CONCLUSIONS: Structured and supervised VR training can offer a significant level of skills transfer to novice ophthalmic surgeons. VR training at the earliest stage of ophthalmic surgical training may, therefore, be of benefit.

"PhacoTracking": an evolving paradigm in ophthalmic surgical training.

Motion analysis has been validated as a tool to evaluate surgical skill. We investigated a novel computer vision-based tool for the evaluation of surgical movements during cataract surgery. A prospective cohort analysis of 2 groups was performed. Ten videos of junior surgeons (ie, those with <200 cases) and 10 videos of senior surgeons (ie, those with >1000 cases) were analyzed. Movement parameters were measured over an entire procedure. Significant statistical differences were found between novice and expert surgeons for total path length (P = .002), number of movements (P = .05), and total time (P = .004). Our study has shown that computer vision-based motion analysis can be successfully applied to video recordings of cataract surgery to provide robust measurements of instrument motion. Further work needs to be done to evaluate its usefulness in training and feedback.

Kinematic analysis in oculoplastic reconstructive surgery: measuring manual control and fluidity of movement.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate higher-order kinematic analysis, a technique not previously applied to surgical skills assessment, as a tool for elucidating patterns of movement. METHODS: An observational cohort study of 27 subjects, divided into 3 equal groups based on surgical experience consisting of novice (performed <5 prior procedures), intermediate (performed 5-100 prior procedures), and expert (performed >100 prior procedures) subjects. The subjects placed a deep 3-1-1 suture onto a shielded hook on a standardized surgical skills practice board. Detailed 3-dimensional motion data were obtained using a motion capture system. Two novel parameters were used to analyze movement patterns: the frequency distribution (cumulative histogram), describing the distribution of movement sizes used, and the probability density function (normalization of frequency distribution data), evaluating the distribution of motion against the magnitude of movement. The α risk for statistical significance was set at .05. RESULTS: We found significant differences among the 3 groups for frequency distribution (P = .02; Kruskal-Wallis test) and probability density function (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: These 2 indices, derived from kinematic analysis, appear to distinguish between groups of test subjects with known differences in surgical experience. The evaluation of higher-order motion patterns appears to be of value in the objective evaluation of surgical skills. This method for assessment of manual skills is likely to provide a better guide as to which patterns of movement have the greatest efficiency for specific tasks.

Tear film osmolarity in epiphora.

PURPOSE: To examine whether patients complaining of epiphora have tears of a lower osmolarity. METHODS: Sixty-three eyes of 39 patients attending an oculoplastic clinic with a primary complaint of epiphora, had their tear osmolarity recorded. Subjects were excluded if they had current or recent topical eye therapy, active ocular infection or allergy, ocular surface scarring, evidence of dry eye, previous laser eye surgery, or a contact lens worn within the previous 12 hours. Patients were divided into 2 groups. The first included those whose primary complaint was of epiphora due to either punctal stenosis, nasolacrimal duct obstruction (partial or complete), or eyelid laxity (without evidence of frank ectropion or entropion). The second group formed the controls, and consisted of the second eye of some of the above patients, or those attending the clinic for other oculoplastic procedures not related to epiphora. Testing of tear osmolarity was performed in the clinic using the TearLab osmometer. RESULTS: Sixty-three readings were obtained, of which 32 were from patients with a primary complaint of epiphora and 31 were allocated to the control group. Patients with epiphora had a mean tear osmolarity of 291.8 mOsms/l (range, 269-324, standard deviation 16.6), compared with the control group mean of 303.7 mOsms/l (range, 269-354, standard deviation 24.1). This difference was found to be statistically significant (p = 0.025). CONCLUSION: Patients complaining of epiphora in the absence of other ocular surface pathology have a significantly lower tear osmolarity.

Treatment of a lacrimal pneumocele with punctal plug insertion.

A 37-year-old man presented with symptoms of air and mucus reflux from the right medial canthus on blowing his nose. Examination showed crepitus in the region overlying the right lacrimal sac, and he was able to produce bubbles in his conjunctival lake on instillation of topical 2% fluorescein. Dacryoscintigraphy showed symmetrical slow passage of tracer from the lacrimal sac in the nasolacrimal duct indicating delay at the postsac level. Dacryocystography showed that the right lacrimal system contained round filling defects, suggesting the presence of soft tissue tumors. However, a CT scan showed an enlarged right lacrimal fossa with air in the nasolacrimal duct and no evidence of a mass. Following lower punctal plug occlusive canaliculoplasty on the right, using a preloaded silicone plug, the patient noted an immediate resolution of reflux symptoms.

A surgical strategy for the correction of Fraser syndrome cryptophthalmos.

PURPOSE: To describe a systematic approach for managing the structural adnexal anomalies encountered in Fraser syndrome, a multisystem, autosomal recessive condition associated with cryptophthalmos. DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: All patients with Fraser syndrome-related cryptophthalmos managed at a Moorfields Eye Hospital during a 23-year period between 1984 and 2007. METHODS: All patients' clinical records were reviewed. The age of the patient at presentation, sex, ethnic origin, parental consanguinity, associated systemic features, length of follow-up, and surgical interventions were recorded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The sequence of surgical procedures performed for the different morphologic cryptophthalmos subtypes, postoperative visual acuity, and corneal survival. RESULTS: The study includes 13 eyes of 7 patients. Cryptophthalmos was complete in 3 eyes and abortive in 10 eyes; no cases of incomplete cryptophthalmos were encountered in this series. The aim of surgical intervention in the latter was to optimize visual potential. Surgical steps included dissection of corneal adhesions from keratinized cornea, mucous membrane graft, Mustarde eyelid switch flap with subsequent division, and further lower lid augmentation as required (n = 10). For complete cryptophthalmos, surgery was recommended if cosmetic improvement was sought and enough tissue remained after any repair of abortive cryptophthalmos in the fellow eye. Surgery in these cases involved the creation of fornices, with subsequent upper and lower lid reconstruction with local skin/muscle flaps (n = 1). Postoperative acuities ranged from perception of light to 20/200. Good outcomes in terms of corneal health were achieved in 6 of the 10 eyes operated on for incomplete cryptophthalmos. CONCLUSIONS: Although Fraser syndrome is rare, the periocular surgical management of these complex cases may be planned using a systematic approach as described in this study, which is the largest such series to date. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Metastatic endophthalmitis.

Endophthalmitis carries a poor visual prognosis for patients and can be a potentially blinding condition that may result in loss of the eye. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are imperative to save the eye. Delay in diagnosis affects visual prognosis and therefore doctors should be aware of the presenting features of endophthalmitis. Urgent ophthalmic referral is advised as soon as a diagnosis is suspected.

Changing from Snellen to LogMAR: debate or delay?

Visual acuity is the most commonly used test to assess visual function. The Snellen chart is the universally accepted tool for testing visual acuity despite its poor reliability and reproducibility. Newer logMAR charts are now available that have negated the disadvantages of the Snellen chart. However, these charts are not being used regularly in daily practice. This article discusses the reasons for the delayed acceptance of the logMAR chart.

Delayed suprachoroidal hemorrhage after needle revision of trabeculectomy bleb in a patient with hairy cell leukemia.

PURPOSE: To report a rare complication, delayed suprachoroidal hemorrhage, of needle revision of a nonfunctioning trabeculectomy bleb in a patient with previously undetected hairy cell leukemia. DESIGN: Interventional case report. METHODS; An 89-year-old man presented with massive delayed suprachoroidal hemorrhage after needle revision of a trabeculectomy bleb. RESULTS: Routine investigations before choriodal drainage showed a low platelet count. Anterior chamber washout and choroidal drainage were done after intravenous platelet infusions. Subsequently, the diagnosis of hairy cell leukemia was made by the hematologist. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed suprachoroidal hemorrhage is a rare but devastating complication of needle revision of trabeculectomy blebs and should be borne in mind while performing this seemingly trivial outpatient procedure.