Frederico F. Marques

Modified capsular tension ring for patients with congenital loss of zonular support.

Purpose: To evaluate the results of implantation of a modified capsular tension ring (MCTR) and a posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC IOL) in patients with congenitally subluxated crystalline lenses. Setting: Cincinnati Eye Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. Methods: Ninety eyes of 57 patients with congenital loss of zonular support (Weill‐Marchesani syndrome, idiopathic ectopia lentis, and Marfans syndrome) had phacoemulsification with PC IOL and MCTR implantation. The preoperative examination included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the presence or absence of phacodonesis, lens decentration, and vitreous prolapse. The postoperative evaluation included BCVA and the presence or absence of pseudophacodonesis, PC IOL centration, and posterior capsule opacification (PCO). Results: At the last postoperative examination, the BCVA was 20/40 or better in 80 eyes (88.9%); 1 eye (1.1%) lost 1 line of acuity. Preoperatively, 18 eyes (20%) had phacodonesis; 1 eye had postoperative pseudophacodonesis. Decentration before surgery was present in 86 eyes (95.6%); 6 eyes (6.7%) developed late symptomatic PC IOL decentration a median of 17.84 months ± 10.73 (SD) after surgery. Other complications were increased intraocular pressure (2.2%), persistent iritis (3.3%), broken suture (10.0%), retinal detachment (1.1%), and PCO (20.0%). Conclusions: Use of the MCTR resulted in centration of the capsular bag and PC IOL in 90 eyes with congenitally subluxated crystalline lenses. Fixation of a 9‐0 polypropylene suture is recommended to decrease the risk for late suture breakage.

Fate of anterior capsule tears during cataract surgery

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of anterior capsule tears, at what stage of surgery they occurred, and their intraoperative behavior. SETTING: Ambulatory surgery center, Cincinnati Eye Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. METHODS: This 5‐year retrospective study was of patients having phacoemulsification with posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation complicated by unplanned peripheral extension of the capsulorhexis tear or a radial anterior capsule tear. The operative notes and a videotape of the surgery were reviewed. The stage at which the tear was initially observed and when it extended were identified, as was whether the tear extended to the posterior capsule. Anterior vitrectomy and the design and location of the IOL implanted were also analyzed. RESULTS: A discontinuous anterior capsulorhexis or a break in the anterior capsule rim was observed in 21 eyes of 2646 cases, for an overall incidence of 0.79%. Anterior capsule tears were identified during ophthalmic viscosurgical device injection in 1 eye, capsulorhexis in 13 eyes, hydrodissection in 2 eyes, phacoemulsification in 3 eyes, irrigation/aspiration (I/A) in 1 eye, and implantation of a prosthetic iris device in 1 eye. Seven of the 13 tears identified during the capsulorhexis were managed by redirecting the second edge of the “safety” capsulorhexis to incorporate the tear. In 14 eyes, the tear in the anterior capsule extended into the zonules; 4 of these tears were limited. Ten tears extended around the equator and through the posterior capsule, occurring during the hydrodissection in 1 eye, phacoemulsification in 2 eyes, I/A in 1 eye, and IOL implantation in 6 eyes. An anterior vitrectomy was required in 4 eyes that had posterior capsule involvement. Endocapsular fixation of a 1‐piece acrylic IOL was achieved in 18 eyes. Three eyes required implantation of a 3‐piece acrylic IOL in the ciliary sulcus. CONCLUSIONS: Extension of an anterior capsule tear can complicate cataract surgery at any stage. Extension of the tear through the posterior capsule occurred in almost half the eyes with an anterior capsule tear, often requiring an anterior vitrectomy. Managing an anterior capsule tear can be challenging yet compatible with implantation of a posterior chamber IOL.

Three-step technique for staining the anterior lens capsule with indocyanine green or trypan blue

A 3-step technique for staining the anterior lens capsule was developed to optimize the use of a capsule dye (trypan blue or indocyanine green) during capsulorhexis. After the injection of a viscoadaptive ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD) (sodium hyaluronate 2.3% [Healon 5]), which fills the anterior chamber, balanced salt solution (BSS) is gently injected onto the anterior capsule, creating a wafer-thin, fluid-filled space beneath the OVD. The dye is slowly injected through a 27-gauge cannula (Duckworth & Kent), selectively mixing with the BSS and allowing relatively accurate painting of the anterior capsule, approximating the size and shape of the intended capsulorhexis. This 3-step technique avoids the use of air as well as the uncontrolled dispersion and excessive accumulation of dye within the OVD.

Longitudinal study of intraocular lens exchange

PURPOSE: To analyze the indications for intraocular lens (IOL) exchange, interval between the first IOL implantation and the exchange, type and mix of IOLs used, effect on vision, and frequency of complications. SETTING: Cincinnati Eye Institute‐Cincinnati‐Ohio‐USA. METHODS: This retrospective study comprised 49 eyes of 49 adult patients who had IOL exchange between 1986 and 2002 performed by the same surgeon. The mean age was 70 years old, and 55% were women. The mean interval between surgeries was 53.8 months and the mean follow‐up, 35.6 months. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the type of IOL originally implanted: anterior chamber (AC) or posterior chamber (PC). RESULTS: There were 15 eyes with an AC IOL and 34 eyes with a PC IOL. The difference in mean age and follow‐up were not statistically significant between groups. The mean interval between the primary surgery and IOL explantation was 82.3 months in the AC IOL group and 37.9 months in the PC IOL group. The main reason for IOL exchange was inflammation (53.34%) and dislocation/decentration (85.30%), respectively. The preoperative best corrected visual acuity was similar in both groups, and visual acuity was maintained or improved in 80%. Vitreous prolapse was the main intraoperative complication. CONCLUSIONS: The primary indication for IOL exchange was intraocular inflammation in patients with an AC IOL and IOL malposition in patients with a PC IOL. The results confirm the safety and positive visual outcome in this complex group of patients.

Early uncorrected visual acuity as a measurement of the visual outcomes of contemporary cataract surgery

Purpose: To determine the uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) on the first postoperative day and the fifth week after routine slow‐motion phacoemulsification with posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Setting: Cincinnati Eye Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. Methods: This retrospective chart review performed by 3 research fellows analyzed the UCVA 1 day and 5 weeks postoperatively in 100 consecutive best‐case scenario eyes of 99 patients who had routine slow‐motion phacoemulsification with implantation of an AcrySof® single‐piece IOL (Alcon). Reasons for UCVAs worse than 20/40 were sought. The stability of the visual result was analyzed. Results: The UCVA was 20/40 or better in 98% of eyes at 1 day. Ninety‐seven percent had a UCVA of at least 20/40 by 5 weeks, confirming stability of acuity. The percentage of patients with a UCVA of 20/20 or 20/25 increased from 49% at 1 day to 77% at 5 weeks. Conclusions: The UCVA 1 day after slow‐motion phacoemulsification was 20/40 or better in 98% of eyes and remained stable to the last measurement at 5 weeks. Early UCVA can serve as a more sensitive measurement than best corrected visual acuity for assessing new surgical technologies and techniques.

Techniques for managing common complications of cataract surgery.

Cataract surgery has evolved dramatically over the last two decades, largely as a result of technological advances. As a result, visual outcomes and patient convalescence have improved significantly. A second consequence of increased instrumentation and technology, however, is increased complexity of cataract surgery and the advent of complications unique to these advances. Cataract surgeons must be aware and capable of managing the many possible adverse events that can occur during cataract surgery. This review identifies many of the common complications of cataract surgery, describes methods to avoid these complications and discusses techniques to address complications that do occur. It is the ability to avoid, quickly identify, and properly manage complications that defines the accomplished cataract surgeon.

Intraocular lens exchange assisted by preoperative neodymium:YAG laser haptic fracture.

We present 3 cases of intraocular lens (IOL) exchange in which a neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser was used before surgery to fracture a haptic and make intraocular manipulations easier and safer. Strategic placement of the fracture facilitates maneuvering to explant the IOL segments. Delaying pupil dilation until after the Nd:YAG laser is used and prudent positioning of the patients head minimize the risk that freed IOL segments will damage the cornea or subluxate posteriorly into the vitreous cavity. Neodymium:YAG laser IOL fracture before explantation/ exchange is a viable combined procedure.

Focal multistriae: Postoperative finding in posterior lenticonus patients

A brother and sister presented with a history of difficulty reading fine print and an intolerance to glare. Family history was positive for bilateral posterior lenticonus in the mother. Biomicroscopy confirmed that each sibling had bilateral posterior lenticonus that was more easily diagnosed in the brother. Uneventful phacoemulsification was performed in each eye with a foldable acrylic posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) placed vertically within the capsular bag in 3 eyes and horizontally in 1 eye. On the day after surgery, biomicroscopy revealed vertical wrinkles limited to the central 2.0 mm of the posterior capsule corresponding to the cone in the eyes in which the IOLs had been vertically placed. We hypothesize that these striae occurred within the cone as a result of redistributing the usual mechanical forces associated with capsule stretch between the most distal contact points of the haptics. We believe that the appearance of these multiple striae limited to the central posterior capsule represents an unreported postoperative finding associated with posterior lenticonus.

New technique to demonstrate corneal magnification using trypan blue in cataract surgery

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the corneal magnification using trypan blue in cataract surgery. METHODS: Eight eyes of eight patients undergoing phacoemulsification with an intraocular lens implantation were enrolled in this study. After staining the anterior capsule with Trypan Blue 0.1% and performing the capsulorhexis, the excised anterior capsule was placed on the corneal surface. By observing and measuring the relationship between the border of the excised anterior capsule and the intracameral capsulorhexis opening, the effect of corneal magnification was clearly demonstrated and calculated by linear method. RESULTS: The average magnification of the cornea was 20.88% using linear method with an average area magnification of 47.53%. CONCLUSION: The capsulorhexis stained by trypan blue is useful to demonstrate the magnification provided by the cornea helping to design an intended opening size.

Subtle signs of zonular damage

Purpose: To describe 5 subtle signs of zonular damage. Setting: Cincinnati Eye Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. Methods: Three patients with a history of ocular trauma and 1 patient with Marfans syndrome are described. During the preoperative examination, subtle signs of zonular damage were detected. As a result of the early recognition, critical modifications in cataract surgery technique and technology were made. Results: The signs of zonular damage identified in the patients were visibility of the lens equator during eccentric gaze, decentered nucleus in primary position, iridolenticular gap, changes in the contour of the lens periphery, and focal iridodonesis. Conclusion: Identification of subtle but important signs of zonular damage will better prepare the surgeon for a challenging surgical procedure.