Pain control and reduction of opioid use associated with intracameral phenylephrine1.0%-ketorolac 0.3% administered during cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To compare pain and the need for the opioid fentanyl use associated with the administration of phenylephrine 1.0%-ketorolac 0.3% (P/K) with those of epinephrine administration during cataract surgery. SETTING: Ambulatory surgery center. DESIGN: Single-center, prospective, randomized, double-masked, self-controlled trial. METHODS: Patients undergoing bilateral, topical anesthetic cataract surgery were randomized to receive either intracameral P/K or epinephrine in their balanced salt solution for the first eye and the other for the second eye, 2 weeks later. Fentanyl was used to manage intraoperative pain. The primary end point was the need for fentanyl administration intraoperatively. Secondary outcomes included pain measurements; surgery duration; effective phacoemulsification time; pupil size; and complications. RESULTS: 112 eyes of 56 patients were enrolled. Significantly fewer eyes in the P/K group (7 [12.5%]) than in the epinephrine group (19 [33.9%]; P = .013) required intraoperative fentanyl administration. Mean pain scores were lower in the P/K group than those in the control group at all timepoints. For patients with no pain to mild pain (pain scores ≤ 3), 85.7% (n = 48) of the P/K group and 58.9% (n = 33) of the epinephrine group met this benchmark ( P = .003) intraoperatively. The combined outcome, the number of patients not receiving intravenous fentanyl and experiencing no pain to mild pain, was significantly higher in the study (82.1%, n = 46) than in the control group (58.9%, n = 33; P = .013). CONCLUSIONS: P/K administration significantly reduced pain and the need for fentanyl use. Using P/K is a practical way for cataract surgeons to provide better patient care and reduce the need for intraoperative opioids.

Advances in Corneal Surgical and Pharmacological Approaches to the Treatment of Presbyopia.

The purpose of this article is to review the current status of presbyopia amelioration with surgical and pharmacologic procedures that partially compensate for loss of accommodation in advance of cataract surgery and lens replacement. Over the last few years, several corneal surgical and topical pharmacological approaches for the treatment of presbyopia have been introduced to the marketplace or are in the developmental pipeline. The approaches vary in invasiveness, duration of effect, reversibility, risk/benefit ratio, and clinical results. The advantages and disadvantages for each are discussed. Corneal surgical interventions aim to provide improved near and intermediate vision in patients with presbyopia through refractive means that extend ocular depth of focus through shape modification. The use of miotic drops or corneal lamellar implants extend depth of focus with the "pinhole" aperture size reduction effect. Unlike in adults younger than 40 years, the refractive status of the patient with presbyopia is not stable. Hence, procedures that provide a permanent refractive change may not provide long-term full correction; eye drops or other treatments that are self-reversing in time or are easily reversible may be used as needed. On the horizon, procedures are being explored that may add years of functional lens accommodation by preserving the deformable gel properties of the lens. [J Refract Surg. 2021;37(6 Suppl):S20-S27.].