The Royal College of Ophthalmologists' National ophthalmology database study of cataract surgery: Report 14, cohort analysis - the impact of CapsuleGuard® utilisation on cataract surgery posterior capsule rupture rates.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the use of the silicone tipped irrigation/aspiration (I/A) handpiece CapsuleGuard® (Bausch + Lomb, Laval, Canada) reduced rates of posterior capsule rupture (PCR) during cataract surgery. METHODS: Royal College of Ophthalmologists' National Ophthalmology Database (NOD) Cataract Audit data from 01/04/2010 and 31/03/2021 and Bausch + Lomb sales figures were combined to identify centres participating in national cataract audit who have routinely adopted the silicone tipped I/A handpiece, CapsuleGuard®. Data were included only from centres with eligible cataract operations recorded on the NOD both before and after adopting CapsuleGuard®. Review of the literature was undertaken to estimate the proportion of PCR that occurs during I/A, to evaluate the impact of adoption of CapsuleGuard® on PCR occurring in this phase of surgery. RESULTS: Within the study period, 267 371 eligible cataract operations were performed in 14 centres with >50 eligible operations both before and after adopting CapsuleGuard®. Within centres adopting CapsuleGuard®, the rate of PCR occurrence reduction was 16.4%. Before and after the adoption of CapsuleGuard® the median change of PCR was 21.7% reduction (IQR: 4.8% to 37.7% reduction). CONCLUSIONS: A reduction in the rate of PCR was seen after regular adoption of CapsuleGuard® during cataract operations. Review of published studies attributing PCR to various components of the cataract operation suggest around 25% of PCR may occur during I/A; adoption of CapsuleGuard may, therefore, be associated with avoidance of a substantial proportion of the PCR during that phase of surgery.

Posterior Capsule Rupture during Cataract Surgery in Eyes Receiving Intravitreal anti-VEGF Injections.

PURPOSE: To examine the risk of posterior capsule rupture (PCR) during phacoemulsification cataract surgery in patients who received intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections prior to surgery. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of cataract surgeries at the Sue Anschutz-Rodgers UCHealth Eye Center from January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2018. The primary outcome was the occurrence of PCR during surgery. Other variables of interest included age, race, sex, ocular comorbidities, diabetes, mature cataract, primary surgeon, injection frequency and type, and date of most recent injection. Predictors of PCR were assessed using logistic regression with generalized estimating equations to account for correlation between patient eyes. Additional sub-analysis was performed on eyes with PCR with and without anti-VEGF injection history to compare intraoperative characteristics, post-operative complications, and visual outcomes. RESULTS: In total 10,327 cataract surgeries were included in the analysis, and 308 of these eyes received anti-VEGF injections prior to surgery. Of the 308 eyes that received anti-VEGF injections, eight (2.6%) had a PCR during surgery compared to 45 of 10,019 eyes (0.5%) that did not receive injections (unadjusted OR = 5.9, 95% CI: 2.8-12.7, p < .0001). Males and diabetics were more likely to have received injections and had higher rates of PCR, so these variables were adjusted for in the multivariate analysis of the association between injections and PCR (adjusted OR = 4.7, 95% CI: 2.1-10.4, p-value = 0.0001). Eyes with mature cataracts and those that underwent surgery with a resident as the primary surgeon were also at higher risk of PCR, but these variables were not associated with the anti-VEGF injection. Injection frequency, time between most recent injection and surgery, and type of anti-VEGF agent were not significantly associated with PCR. CONCLUSIONS: History of intravitreal anti-VEGF injections was associated with higher odds of PCR during cataract surgery.

A Composite Risk Score for Capsule Complications Based on Data from the Swedish National Cataract Register: Relation to Surgery Volumes.

PURPOSE: To investigate case mix in relation to capsule complication, possible associations between case mix and operation volume, and change in case mix over time. DESIGN: Register-based study. PARTICIPANTS: Swedish patients who underwent cataract surgery between 2007 and 2016. METHODS: Demographics and data on ocular comorbidity, intraoperative difficulties, and capsule complications were registered from 2007 to 2016 and analyzed retrospectively in relation to coded data on individual surgeons' operation volume. Single factor analysis and logistic regression were performed, and a composite risk score was created. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Risk of capsule complication, given as adjusted and composite odds ratio in relation to cataract surgery volume. RESULTS: Preoperative and intraoperative variables significantly associated with capsule complications were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ≤0.1 (decimal, adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.82; P < 0.001); pseudoexfoliation (PEX) (aOR, 1.53; P < 0.001); sight-threatening ocular comorbidity other than age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, or cornea guttata (aOR, 1.35; P = 0.006); use of Trypan blue (aOR, 1.76; P < 0.001); mechanical pupil dilation (aOR, 1.36; P = 0.024); and iris hooks at the rhexis margin (aOR, 6.99; P < 0.001). The composite risk score was 3.09 ± 6.40 (mean ± standard deviation) for patients with capsule complication and 1.28 ± 1.66 for uncomplicated procedures (P < 0.001). High-volume cataract surgeons (≥500 procedures yearly) had a significantly lower composite risk score (mean risk score ≤1.28; range, 1.01-2.02) compared with low- and medium-volume cataract surgeons (1.34 ± 0.56; range, 1.00-4.55 and 1.49 ± 0.58; range, 1.01-5.19), respectively. During the period 2007-2016, the proportion of patients aged >88 years, patients with BCVA ≤0.1, and patients with intraoperative difficulties decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Case mix, as calculated from a composite risk score based on preoperative and intraoperative parameters registered in the National Cataract Register (NCR), may contribute to the decrease in capsule complications from 2007 to 2016 and the lower complication rate observed in cases managed by high-volume cataract surgeons.

Spontaneous full thickness macular hole development and closure in a patient with nucleus dislocation due to hypermature cataract: a case report.

Spontaneous posterior capsule rupture with lens-nucleus dislocation is a very rare entity, as is the development and spontaneous closure of a full thickness macular hole (FTMH) after vitrectomy. The occurrence of these two entities in one eye has not been previously described. A 79-year-old woman was referred because of the right eye intermittent pain and progressive visual loss. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) with correction for aphakia was 20/20. Intraocular pressure was normal with therapy. The cornea, anterior chamber, and vitreous were clear. Gonioscopy was normal. The capsular bag was clear, with rolled-up anterior and posterior lens capsule, and the nucleus dislocated in the vitreous. As surgery waiting time was prolonged due to administrative problems, the patient's intraocular pressure (IOP) increased and cystoid macular edema (CME) with lamellar macular hole developed. The patient underwent pars plana vitrectomy with endophacofragmentation and epiretinal membrane peeling. Postoperative optical coherence tomography was normal, BCVA was 20/40, and IOP was normal with topical therapy. One month after surgery, the eye was without signs of inflammation and IOP started rising in spite of maximum therapy. CME reoccurred and progressed to a FTMH, which started closing spontaneously in one month. One year after surgery, IOP normalized and FTMH closed completely. A dislocated crystalline lens in a quiet eye with normal BCVA, which rapidly developed into intractable glaucoma and FTMH, is an unusual finding. The deterioration was followed by spontaneous IOP normalization and macular hole closure. Such unexpected disease course, suggesting a possible autoimmune reaction, has not yet been described.

Experience in cataract surgery assisted by femtosecond laser at Fundación Hospital Nuestra Señora de la Luz.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the transoperative results of cataract surgeries assisted by femtosecond laser. METHOD: Observational, descriptive, retrospective and cross-sectional study of 420 surgical records made with the LenSx platform from April 2015 to August 2017. The review of records was made through the internal electronic system accessing the preoperative and postoperative note. The information was collected through a database in Excel. The analysis of variables was performed by means of descriptive statistics with measures of central tendency. RESULTS: 86 files met inclusion criteria. The average age was 63 years. There was a general frequency of complications of 27.9% (24 surgeries). The most frequent complications were incomplete or impermeable corneal wound (37.5%), incomplete capsulorhexis (25%) and posterior capsule rupture (16.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The femtosecond laser technology incorporated in cataract surgery can be considered successful because of a low overall frequency of complications.

OBJETIVO: Describir las complicaciones transoperatorias de las cirugías de catarata asistidas por láser de femtosegundo. MÉTODO: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, retrospectivo y transversal de 420 expedientes de cirugías realizadas con la plataforma LenSx de abril de 2015 a agosto de 2017. La revisión de expedientes se realizó a través del sistema electrónico interno accediendo a las notas preoperatoria y posoperatoria. La información se recopiló en una base de datos Excel. Se realizó el análisis de variables por medio de estadística descriptiva con medidas de tendencia central. RESULTADOS: Cumplieron criterios de inclusión 86 expedientes. La edad promedio de los pacientes fue de 63 años. Se presentó una frecuencia general de complicaciones del 27.9% (24 cirugías). Las complicaciones que ocurrieron con mayor frecuencia fueron herida corneal incompleta o impermeable (37.5%), capsulorrexis incompleta (25%) y rotura de cápsula posterior (16.7%). CONCLUSIONES: La tecnología de láser de femtosegundo incorporada en la cirugía de catarata puede considerarse como exitosa al tener una baja frecuencia general de complicaciones.

Accuracy of Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography and Ultrasound Biomicroscopy for Evaluation of Posterior Lens Capsule in Traumatic Cataract.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) and ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) in detecting posterior capsule (PC) defect in patients with traumatic cataract. DESIGN: Observational case-series. METHODS: Sixty-seven eyes from 67 patients, with traumatic cataract severe enough to prevent slit lamp evaluation of the PC, were included in a simple sequence without randomization. Patients underwent both 50-MHz UBM and SS-OCT evaluation of the PC by different operators. Cataract surgery was then performed using a single technique. RESULTS: Sixty-seven eyes from 67 patients including 60 men and 7 women were studied. The mean age was 34 ± 14 years and the mean logarithm of minimal angle of resolution of visual acuity was 1.89 ± 0.71. The calculated sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy values for SS-OCT were 96.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 83.81-99.43), 66.7% (95% CI 48.78-80.77), and 82% (95% CI 70.53-89.62), respectively. For UBM, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy values were 82.6% (95% CI 62.86-93.02), 57.9% (95% CI 36.28-76.86), and 71.4% (95% CI 56.43-82.83), respectively. Positive predictive and negative predictive values for SS-OCT were 75% (95% CI 59.81-85.81) and 95.2% (95% CI 77.33-99.15) and for UBM were 70.4% (95% CI 51.52-84.15) and 73.3% (95% CI 48.05-89.1), respectively. CONCLUSION: Although both imaging techniques are effective, SS-OCT appears to be at least comparable, or superior in special circumstances, to UBM in detecting preoperative posttraumatic PC rupture. We recommend preoperative assessment of all traumatic cataracts with SS-OCT as a part of surgical planning.

Risk of posterior capsular rupture during phacoemulsification cataract surgery in eyes with previous intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor injections.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether previous intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections are a predictor for posterior capsular rupture (PCR) during phacoemulsification cataract surgery. SETTING: Whipps Cross University Hospital Eye Treatment Centre, London, United Kingdom. DESIGN: Single-center, retrospective, electronic medical record (EMR) database study with univariate analysis. METHODS: Data were extracted from an EMR system on eyes undergoing phacoemulsification surgery between August 1, 2016, and January 1, 2018. Patient demographics, indication for intravitreal therapy, treatment type, the number of previous intravitreal injections (IVIs), diabetic status, surgeon grade, and operative complications were included as variables for analysis. RESULTS: Data were available for 4047 cataract operations. Of these, 108 (2.7%) had undergone previous anti-VEGF IVI treatment. Three eyes were noted to have preoperative PC trauma and were excluded from the final analysis. The logistic regression analysis after exclusion of the eyes with pre-existing damage to the PC confirmed that previous anti-VEGF IVI treatment was associated with an increased risk of PCR when compared with the non-IVI group (6.67% vs 1.88%, P < .0001). There is a dose-dependent relationship between the number of anti-VEGF injections and the likelihood of PCR. CONCLUSIONS: Previous intravitreal anti-VEGF injections are significantly correlated with an increased risk of surgical PCR, despite the absence of visible structural damage to the posterior capsule preoperatively.

Femtosecond laser-integrated anterior segment optical coherence tomography to detect preexisting posterior capsular dehiscence and increase safety in posterior polar cataracts.

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of the femtosecond laser with integrated anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) for the detection of posterior capsular dehiscence in posterior polar cataracts (PPCs). To evaluate the safety of phacoemulsification in these eyes undergoing femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS). SETTING: Centre For Sight Group of Eye Hospitals, a chain of tertiary eyecare hospitals in India. DESIGN: Prospective interventional case series. METHODS: The study included eyes with PPCs undergoing FLACS using the CATALYS femtosecond platform. Real-time OCT guidance was used to image the posterior capsule (PC), which was then classified as intact or dehiscent. The femtosecond laser was used for the creation of capsulotomy, nuclear fragmentation, and corneal incisions. In all eyes, the posterior offset (distance between the posterior extent of nucleotomy and the PC) was increased to enable a thick epinuclear cushion. Intraoperative status of the PC was noted, and the specificity and the sensitivity of AS-OCT to detect a preexisting posterior capsular defect was determined. RESULTS: The cohort included 50 eyes (40 patients), in which a posterior capsular discontinuity on AS-OCT was observed in 7 eyes (14%). Five (10%) of these 7 eyes developed an intraoperative posterior capsular rent (PCR) A sensitivity and negative predictive value of 100% was noted. No case of nucleus drop was noted. CONCLUSIONS: Femtosecond laser with integrated AS-OCT is a relevant and helpful tool to detect and increase the safety in preexisting posterior capsular dehiscence, alerting the surgeon ahead of phacoemulsification.

Endophthalmitis reduction with intracameral moxifloxacin in eyes with and without surgical complications: Results from 2 million consecutive cataract surgeries.

PURPOSE: To analyze the posterior capsule rupture (PCR) rates among staff and trainee cataract surgeons, and the postoperative endophthalmitis (POE) rates in uncomplicated and complicated eyes both with and without intracameral moxifloxacin prophylaxis (ICMP). SETTING: Ten regional Aravind Eye Hospitals in India. DESIGN: Retrospective multicenter clinical registry within a single hospital network. METHODS: POE rates with and without ICMP were statistically compared for all eyes and separately for trainees versus staff, for phacoemulsification versus manual small-incision cataract surgery (M-SICS), and for a subgroup of eyes complicated by PCR or requiring secondary surgery. RESULTS: All cataract surgeries (2 062 643) performed during the 8-year period from 2011 to 2018 at the 10 regional Aravind Eye hospitals were included in the analysis. With ICMP, the overall POE rate declined from 692 (0.07%) of 993 009 eyes to 185 (0.02%) of 1 069 634 eyes (P < .001). This was independently significant for phacoemulsification and for M-SICS (P < .001). The overall PCR rate was 28 352 (1.37%) of 2 062 643 eyes, and it was statistically higher for trainees irrespective of surgical method (P < .001). Both staff and trainee surgeons had higher PCR rates with phacoemulsification than with M-SICS (P < .001). Absent ICMP, PCR increased the overall POE rate by more than 7-fold to 63 (0.43%) of 14 505 eyes. ICMP reduced the POE rate after PCR to 25 (0.18%) of 13 847 eyes (P = .002). This ICMP benefit was separately significant for both M-SICS (0.54% vs 0.26%, P = .01) and phacoemulsification (0.29% vs 0.06%, P = .005). The POE rate was especially high after secondary IOL implantation (0.90% without ICMP vs 0.34% with ICMP; P = .10). CONCLUSIONS: ICMP reduced the POE rate overall, with phacoemulsification, with M-SICS, and in eyes with PCR.

Capsulotomía iatrogénica y catarata tras vitreolisis láser Nd:YAG en imágenes de tomografía de coherencia óptica / Iatrogenic capsulotomy and cataract after Nd: YAG laser vitreolysis in optical coherence tomography images

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Unusual case of ruptured posterior lenticonus.

A 14-year-old boy presented with a report of sudden-onset loss of vision in the right eye for the previous 10 days. The patient was diagnosed with a total cataract and ruptured posterior lenticonus. Lenticular aspiration was performed with an irrigation/aspiration probe. This was followed by anterior vitrectomy and implantation of 1-piece intraocular lens (IOL) in the capsular bag. Postoperatively, the patient had a good visual outcome with no evidence of intraocular inflammation. Although ruptured posterior lenticonus is a rare condition, it can be encountered in day-to-day-practice. In such cases, implantation of a 1-piece IOL can be safely performed if the anterior vitreous is meticulously removed.

Risk-Adjusted CUSUM Analysis of the Learning Curve of Femtosecond Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery.

Objectives: To determine the length of the learning curve of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) by a risk-adjusted cumulative sum method. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective review of the first 288 FLACS performed by three surgeons over a 12-month period. The learning curves were analyzed separately for each surgeon and as pooled data via risk-adjusted cumulative sum methods. Change-point analysis was performed to estimate the length of the learning curve. Results: Rates of complications were as follows: anterior capsular tear (ACT) (3.4%), posterior capsular rupture (PCR) (0.7%), vitreous loss (0.3%), iris trauma (0.7%), Descemet's membrane tear (0.3%). There was a strong confidence level (96%) that there was a stable performance in terms of PCR after case 16 for the pooled data. Surgeon 1 did not have any cases of PCR, surgeons 2 and 3 exhibited change points at case 5 and 16, respectively (confidence levels = 99%, 98%). There was a strong confidence level (99.8%) that there was stable performance in terms of ACT after case 14 for the pooled data, however the individual surgeons demonstrated individual change points at case 1 (surgeon 1, confidence 99%), case 14 (surgeon 2, confidence 99%), and case 49 (surgeon 3, confidence 96%). Conclusions: The results suggest that there is an increased risk of ACT and PCR in FLACS within a surgeon's first 14 and 16 operations, respectively. Measures should be adopted to minimize harm to patients during this phase. However, overall rates of complications were safe.

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists' National Ophthalmology Database Study of cataract surgery. Report 5: Clinical outcome and risk factors for posterior capsule rupture and visual acuity loss following cataract surgery in patients aged 90 years and older.

BACKGROUND: Older age is commonly associated with an increased risk of surgical complications and comparatively poor outcomes. PURPOSE: To report cataract surgery outcomes and risk indicators for patients aged 90 years and older. METHODS: Data collected as part of routine cataract care in 34 centres contributing to the United Kingdom Royal College of Ophthalmologists' National Ophthalmology Database (NOD) were analysed. Very elderly people undergoing cataract surgery were profiled in terms of demographics, pre- and postoperative best-measured visual acuity (VA), ocular co-morbidities, intraoperative posterior capsule rupture (PCR) or vitreous loss or both, and risk indicators for operative PCR and adverse VA outcome. RESULTS: 25,856 cataract operations in 19,166 people of 90 years or older between 2000 and 2014 are reported. Preoperative VA was available for 82.4% eyes, being 0.30 LogMAR or better in 21.5%. Postoperative VA was available for 61.8% eyes, being 0.30 LogMAR or better in 74.4%. For those without ocular co-morbidity, postoperative VA was 0.30 LogMAR or better in 84.7%. Various co-morbidities were present in 49% and contributed to an adverse VA outcome. PCR data were available for all operations and occurred in 2.7%. Significant risk indicators for PCR included pseudoexfoliation/phakodonesis, mature cataract, smaller pupil and worse preoperative VA. CONCLUSIONS: Slightly poorer cataract surgery outcome results were noted in patients of 90 years or older, more so in patients with ocular co-morbidity which was highly prevalent. However, surgeons should not be deterred from offering cataract surgery to the very elderly as successful visual rehabilitation remains achievable.