Ethnic Differences in the Rates of Posterior Capsule Rupture and Long-Term Sequelae in Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the rates of posterior capsular rupture (PCR) and its sequelae during phacoemulsification across different ethnicities. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study of all consecutive phacoemulsification cases complicated by PCR that met the inclusion criteria over a four-year period at a single tertiary eye centre in the United Kingdom (UK). Results PCR occurred in 0.85% of cases overall (157/18,481). PCR rates were 1.8% (26/1485), 1.2% (51/4350), and 0.7% (75/10,927) in African-Caribbean, Indian subcontinent, and Caucasian patients, respectively (p < 0.001). Mean final corrected distance visual acuity improved (p < 0.05) in all ethnic groups (0.40 ± 0.57 logMAR) compared to pre-op (0.78 ± 0.61 logMAR). Post-operative cystoid macular oedema and unstable intraocular pressure rates following PCR did not statistically differ amongst ethnicities (p = 0.37 and p = 0.75, respectively). However, post-operative uveitis rates significantly differed at 11.5%, 15.7%, and 1.3% amongst the three ethnic groups, respectively (p = 0.01). Conclusion This is the first study to highlight a possible link between patient ethnicity and the risk of PCR during phacoemulsification cataract surgery. We observed significantly greater numbers of PCR cases amongst certain ethnic groups (highest in African-Caribbean eyes, then Indian subcontinental eyes, and lowest in Caucasian eyes) within the same multi-cultural urban population. Ethnicity may therefore be a contributing factor for PCR and should potentially be taken into consideration during preoperative risk stratification.

A Novel Tube Insertion Technique for Glaucoma Drainage Device Implantation.

PURPOSE: Early hypotony after non-valved glaucoma drainage device (GDD) implantation for complex glaucomatous eyes with labile aqueous production can lead to significant visual morbidity. We therefore sought to report the early postoperative outcomes of a novel surgical technique that allows atraumatic insertion of non-valved GDDs through a much smaller 25-gauge scleral track, to minimize entry site leakage and improve safety. METHODS: Retrospective case series of 15 consecutive cases undergoing non-valved GDD insertion into the anterior chamber using a previously unreported technique. RESULTS: All eyes underwent successful GDD insertion using our novel technique, with no intraoperative complications. The mean preoperative intraocular pressures (IOP), at day 1, week 1 and week 3 were 31.4, 22.4, 23.7, and 25.6 mm Hg, respectively. A statistically significant IOP reduction was achieved at day 1, week 1 and week 3 postoperatively ( P <0.05) without any observed leakage at the scleral entry site. One eye (6.7%) with complex panuveitic glaucoma developed early hypotony (5 mm Hg) with shallow choroidal detachments on day 1. This was successfully managed with 1 intracameral ophthalmic viscoelastic device injection given at the slit-lamp and no further intervention. CONCLUSIONS: This novel single needle-docking intraocular insertion manoeuvre is an easily adoptable technique to make GDD insertion through a smaller 25-gauge water-tight scleral track more efficient and less traumatic. The technique reduces scleral distortion and therefore improves surgical safety particularly in eyes with complex secondary glaucoma.

ASSESSING REFRACTIVE OUTCOMES AND ACCURACY OF BIOMETRY IN PHACOVITRECTOMY AND SEQUENTIAL OPERATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH RETINAL DETACHMENT COMPARED WITH ROUTINE CATARACT SURGERY.

PURPOSE: To compare refractive outcomes and accuracy of modern optical biometry, swept-source optical coherence tomography, ultrasound biometry, and effect of the macula status in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment managed with either combined phacovitrectomy or sequential vitrectomy and cataract surgery compared with a control, phacoemulsification alone. METHODS: Retrospective, comparative, consecutive study of 154 eyes; Group 1 underwent phacovitrectomy (n: 70), Group 2 underwent vitrectomy with subsequent cataract surgery (n: 41), and Group 3 underwent cataract surgery alone (n: 43). RESULTS: No difference in the mean absolute error was found between Group 2 (0.41 ± 0.56) and Group 3 (0.41 ± 0.29); both were superior to Group 1 (0.74 ± 0.57). Between Group 1 and Group 2, no statistically significant difference in the mean absolute error was found between macula-on subgroups (P = 0.057), but this was statistically significant between macula-off subgroups (P = 0.009). Subgroup analysis by biometry showed that the difference in the mean absolute error between macula-off optical biometry Group 1 and Group 2 against our control, Group 3, were not significant (P = 0.078 and P = 0.119, respectively); the mean absolute error was significantly different when considering macula-off ultrasound biometry cases (P < 0.001 and P = 0.038, respectively). CONCLUSION: All three groups had comparable refractive outcomes when using optical biometry. However, phacovitrectomy macula-off cases had inferior refractive outcomes when the ultrasound biometry had to be used. In macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, when optical biometry is not reliable, it is preferable to perform sequential surgery rather than phacovitrectomy.

Secondary Glaucoma due to Iridescent Crystalline Particles Masquerading as Refractory Hypertensive Uveitis in an Eye With Irradiated Iris Melanoma.

PURPOSE: We report a previously unrecognized mechanism of secondary glaucoma due to iridescent crystalline particles released from an irradiated iris melanoma. It masqueraded as refractory hypertensive uveitis following uncomplicated phacoemulsification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 58-year-old gentleman had an iris melanoma that underwent successful regression following irradiation with proton beam radiotherapy. Three years later an uncomplicated phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implant was performed and subsequently the patient presented with apparently "refractory hypertensive uveitis." Closer examination identified unique iridescent crystalline particles originating from a disintegrating tumor and dispersing within the anterior chamber and drainage angle. The patient developed a unilateral secondary open-angle glaucoma attributable to these particles. Ultrasound biomicroscopy of the anterior segment confirmed absence of tumor recurrence or intrascleral spread and systemic investigations ruled out distant metastases. RESULTS: The intraocular pressure was refractory to maximal medical treatment, but was eventually controlled with trans-scleral diode laser cyclo-photocoagulation. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of a secondary glaucoma attributable to trabecular blockage with iridescent crystalline particulate material released from a disintegrating, previously irradiated, iris melanoma. Proton beam radiotherapy and possibly phacoemulsification may have played a role in triggering the release of these previously undescribed particles from the atrophied tumor surface. This unique mechanism of secondary glaucoma needs to be kept in mind in such rare cases. Trans-scleral cyclodiode laser may be used as a good initial option in such cases to minimize potential risk of tumor seeding with incisional glaucoma surgery.

Accuracy of clinical diagnosis of benign eyelid lesions: Is a dedicated nurse-led service safe and effective?

This article compares an independent nurse-led benign lesion service with a doctor-led one, and assesses the impact of clinician seniority on diagnostic accuracy rates. Retrospective review of benign lesions referred to a teaching hospital and managed in either a doctor- or nurse-led lid service. All lesions were diagnosed clinically, excised and then sent for histological diagnosis. Lesions were categorized into subtypes. Pre-excision clinical diagnoses were compared with histological diagnoses. Sensitivity, specificity and missed malignancy rates were calculated for each subtype. Accuracy was compared between different grades of doctors and a specialist nurse. 264 and 332 lesions were managed in a doctor-led and nurse-led service, respectively. Rates of accurate sub-typing were 79.6% and 80.4% in the doctor- and nurse-led services, respectively (p > 0.05). Clinician seniority had no bearing. Missed malignancies or pre-malignancies accounted for 1.1% and 1.5% of lesions in the doctor and nurse-led services, respectively (p > 0.05). Overall, the remaining misdiagnoses were benign lesions of another subtype (13.6%) or non-specific histological findings (5.0%) and 98.6% of lesions were confirmed as benign on histology. Overall sensitivity and specificity values were: benign epithelial proliferations 95.6% and 92.2%, epidermal inclusion cysts 92.2% and 88.0%, xanthelasma 97.5% and 100.0%, cysts of Moll 66.7% and 96.6%, naevi 39.4% and 99.8% and molluscum 20.0% and 99.8%, respectively. A dedicated nurse-led service is as effective in managing a range of clinically benign lid lesions as a doctor-led one, and clinician seniority has little impact on the diagnostic accuracy of these lesions.