Rengaraj Venkatesh

Outcomes of high volume cataract surgeries in a developing country

Aim: To analyse the outcome of high volume cataract surgery in a developing country, community based, high volume eye hospital. Methods: In a non-comparative interventional case series, the authors reviewed the surgical outcomes of 593 patients with cataract operated upon by three high volume surgeons on six randomly selected days. There were 318 female (54%) and 275 male (46%) patients. Their mean age was 59.57 (SD 10.13) years. The majority of the patients underwent manual small incision cataract surgery (manual SICS). Extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber intraocular lens (ECCE-PCIOL) and intracapsular cataract extraction (ICCE) were also done on a few patients as clinically indicated. Results: Best corrected visual acuity of ⩾6/18 was achieved in 94% of the 520 patients who could be followed up on the 40th postoperative day (88% follow up rate). Intraoperative and immediate postoperative complications as defined by OCTET occurred in 11 (1.9%) and 75 (12.6%) patients, respectively. Average surgical time of 3.75 minutes per case (16–18 cases per hour) was achieved. Statistically significant risk factors for outcomes were found to be age >60, sex, and surgeon. Conclusion: High volume surgery using appropriate techniques and standardised protocols does not compromise quality of outcomes.

Incidence of post-cataract endophthalmitis at Aravind Eye Hospital Outcomes of more than 42 000 consecutive cases using standardized sterilization and prophylaxis protocols

PURPOSE: To report the incidence of postoperative endophthalmitis at a high‐volume eye hospital in southern India using a modified cost‐effective sterilization protocol. SETTING: Aravind Eye Hospital and Post Graduate Institute of Ophthalmology, Pondicherry, India. METHODS: In this retrospective observational series at a single eye hospital, records of patients who had cataract surgery using a modified sterilization protocol from January 2007 through August 2008 and developed postoperative endophthalmitis within the first 3 postoperative months were drawn from a computerized database. The patients socioeconomic status, the surgeons experience, and the type of cataract procedure performed were analyzed as possible risk factors using the chi‐square test/Fischer exact test. RESULTS: During the study period, 42 426 cataract surgeries were performed. From these, 38 cases of presumed postoperative endophthalmitis were identified (incidence 0.09%). Thirty‐five of the 38 cases were in the manual large‐ and small‐incision extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) group, which had a statistically higher rate than the phacoemulsification group (P = .016). There was no statistical difference in the endophthalmitis rates between private patients and charity patients for either surgical method (manual ECCE or phacoemulsification). CONCLUSIONS: The modified sterilization and asepsis protocol adopted to facilitate high‐volume cataract surgery in a clinical setting appeared to be safe and effective in preventing postsurgical endophthalmitis. Despite a 3:1 ratio of manual ECCE to phacoemulsification and the elimination of certain traditional sterilization practices, the rate of endophthalmitis in this generally underserved patient population with multiple risk factors for infection was comparable to that reported in other modern settings.

Phacoemulsification versus manual small-incision cataract surgery for white cataract

PURPOSE: To compare the safety and efficacy of phacoemulsification and manual small‐incision cataract surgery (SICS) to treat white cataracts in southern India. SETTING: Aravind Eye Hospital, Pondicherry, India. DESIGN: Randomized prospective study. METHODS: Consecutive patients with white cataract were randomly assigned to have phacoemulsification or manual SICS by 1 of 3 surgeons experienced in both techniques. Surgical complications, operative time, uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuities, and surgically induced astigmatism were compared. RESULTS: On the first postoperative day, the UDVA was comparable in the 2 groups (P = .805) and the manual SICS group had less corneal edema (10.2%) than the phacoemulsification group (18.7%) (P = .047). At 6 weeks, the UDVA was 20/60 or better in 99 patients (87.6%) in the phacoemulsification group and 96 patients (82.0%) in the manual SICS group (P = .10) and the CDVA was 20/60 or better in 112 (99.0%) and 115 (98.2%), respectively (P = .59). The mean time was statistically significantly shorter in the manual SICS group (8.8 minutes ± 3.4 [SD]) than in the phacoemulsification group (12.2 ± 4.6 minutes) (P<.001). Posterior capsule rupture occurred in 3 eyes (2.2%) in the phacoemulsification group and 2 eyes (1.4%) in the manual SICS group (P = .681). CONCLUSIONS: Both techniques achieved excellent visual outcomes with low complication rates. Because manual SICS is significantly faster, less expensive, and less technology‐dependent than phacoemulsification, it may be a more appropriate technique in eyes with mature cataract in the developing world. Financial Disclosure: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Manual small incision cataract surgery in eyes with white cataracts.

PURPOSE To assess the safety and efficacy of Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery (MSICS) in cases of white cataract with the use of trypan blue as an adjunct for performing continuous curvilinear capsulorthexis (CCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Prospective observational study on 100 consecutive eyes of 100 patients with white cataract who had undergone MSICS with trypan blue assisted CCC. The nucleus was prolapsed into anterior chamber by using a sinskey hook and extracted out of the eye using irrigating vectis. Intraoperative and postoperative findings (according to OCTET classification) as well as postoperative visual outcomes were used as main measures to report the safety and efficacy of the surgery. RESULTS Of the 100 eyes, 16 had intumescent, 67 had mature and 17 had hypermature cataract. Intraoperatively CCC was incomplete in 4 eyes (4%) and had to be converted to canopener capsulotomy. None of the eyes had posterior capsular rupture or zonular dialysis and no eyes were converted to conventional Extra Capsular Cataract Extraction (ECCE). Postoperatively, 6 eyes (6%) developed corneal oedema with >10 Descemets folds and 7 eyes (7%) had corneal oedema with CONCLUSION In developing countries like India where phacoemulsification may not be affordable to a majority of those requiring cataract surgery, MSICS proves to be a safe and efficacious alternative for white cataracts especially with the adjunctive use of trypan blue dye.

Safety and efficacy of manual small incision cataract surgery for brunescent and black cataracts

AimsTo evaluate the safety, visual outcome and complications of manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS) in the treatment of patients with brunescent and black cataract (BBC).MethodsIn a non-randomised interventional case series, 102 consecutive patients with BBC underwent cataract extraction by MSICS, with staining of the anterior capsule by trypan blue.ResultsOf the 102 eyes with BBC, MSICS was performed through superior scleral tunnel (SST) in 31 eyes (30.4%) and through temporal scleral tunnel (TST) in 71 eyes (69.6%). The main intraoperative complication was posterior capsule rupture in two patients (2.0%). Postoperatively, 20 eyes (19.6%) developed corneal oedema. Mild iritis was seen in six eyes (5.9%) and moderate iritis with fibrin membrane formation occurred in three eyes (2.9%). On the 40th postoperative day, 80 patients (78.4%) achieved uncorrected visual acuity of 6/18 or better, and 99 (97.1%) had best-corrected visual acuity of 6/18 or better. Patients in the SST group had significantly higher postoperative astigmatism compared to those in the TST group (−1.08 D vs −0.72 D, P=0.017).ConclusionMSICS with trypan blue staining of the anterior capsule is a safe and effective method of cataract extraction for patients with BBC.

Incidence and long-term outcomes of toxic anterior segment syndrome at Aravind Eye Hospital

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence and long‐term outcomes of toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS) at a single institution. SETTING: Aravind Eye Hospital, Pondicherry, India. DESIGN: Case series. METHODS: The records of all eyes developing TASS during a 1‐year period after cataract surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical outcomes, including corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), intraocular pressure, and complications, were recorded at the 1‐month and 6‐month follow‐up visits. RESULTS: Toxic anterior segment syndrome occurred in 60 eyes (0.22%) in 26 408 consecutive cataract surgeries. Although there were 2 identifiable clusters of TASS, 52% of cases were sporadic. The mean duration until resolution of severe iridocyclitis was 6.11 days ± 2.19 (SD). Of the 24 eyes (40%) with a follow‐up of at least 6 months (mean 11.24 ± 2.3 months), 6 (24%) had atrophic iris changes, 1 (4%) had cystoid macular edema, 3 (12.5%) developed anterior capsule phimosis, and 4 (16%) had posterior capsule opacification (PCO). There was no statistically significant difference between the mean CDVA at 1 month (0.08 ± 0.06 logMAR) (n = 60) and the mean final CDVA (0.11 ± 0.1 logMAR, minimum 6 months; n = 24) (P=.42). CONCLUSIONS: Although it is impossible to generalize for all etiologies, this study found that TASS is uncommon but not rare, responded to intensive topical antiinflammatory medication, and was usually associated with a good visual outcome. Anterior capsule contraction and PCO were the principal delayed‐onset complications beyond those present 1 month postoperatively. Financial Disclosure: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Family History Is a Strong Risk Factor for Prevalent Angle Closure in a South Indian Population

PURPOSE To compare the prevalence of angle closure among siblings of patients with open angles (OAs), suspect angle closure (PACS), and either primary angle closure (PAC) or PAC glaucoma (PACG). DESIGN Cross-sectional, clinical study. PARTICIPANTS A total of 303 South Indian sibling pairs, including 81 OA probands, 143 PACS probands, and 79 PAC/PACG probands. METHODS Probands and siblings underwent a clinical examination, including gonioscopy by a masked grader, applanation tonometry, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, optic nerve evaluation, and A-scan ultrasonography. Probands and siblings were classified into 1 of 3 groups based on the phenotype of the more severely affected eye: OA, PACS, or PAC/PACG. Multivariable regression models were used to estimate the odds of prevalent angle closure in PACS or PAC/PACG siblings compared with OA siblings. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Prevalence and relative prevalence of angle closure and PAC/PACG among OA, PACS, and PAC/PACG siblings. RESULTS Mean sibling age was 49.7 ± 8.7 years, and 56.6% of siblings were females. Angle closure was more prevalent in both PACS siblings (35.0%) and PAC/PACG siblings (36.7%) compared with OA siblings (3.7%; P < 0.001). There was PAC/PACG present in 11.4% of PAC/PACG siblings compared with 4.9% of PACS siblings (P = 0.07) and 0% of OA siblings (P = 0.002). In multivariable models adjusting for sibling age and sex, the odds of angle closure was 13.6 times greater in angle closure (PACS or PAC/PACG) siblings compared with OA siblings (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.1-45.0; P < 0.001). Sibling angle-closure risk was also greater in female (odds ratio [OR], 2.3; 95% CI, 1.3-4.0; P = 0.005) and older siblings (OR, 1.5 per 10-year increment; 95% CI, 1.1-2.0; P = 0.02). Siblings of PAC/PACG probands had a 2.3-fold greater odds (95% CI, 0.8-6.5) of having PAC/PACG compared with siblings of PACS probands, although the association was not significant (P = 0.13). CONCLUSIONS In the South Indian population screened, siblings of angle-closure patients had a >1 in 3 risk of prevalent angle closure, whereas siblings of PAC/PACG patients had a >10% risk of prevalent PAC/PACG. Screening siblings of angle-closure patients is likely to be of high yield in finding undetected angle closure.

Safety and efficacy of manual small incision cataract surgery for phacolytic glaucoma

Aims: To evaluate the safety, visual outcome and complications of manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS) in the treatment of patients with phacolytic glaucoma. Methods: In a nonrandomised interventional case series, 33 consecutive patients with phacolytic glaucoma underwent cataract extraction by MSICS, with staining of the anterior capsule by trypan blue. Results: The mean preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) was 46.2 mmHg. No significant intraoperative complications such as posterior capsule rupture or expulsive hemorrhage occurred. In 31 patients (93.9%), an intraocular lens (IOL) was implanted in the posterior chamber. In two of 33 patients (6.1%), the posterior capsule was removed and the patient was left aphakic because of severe pre-existing zonulysis. The postoperative best-corrected visual acuity was 20/60 or better in 29 cases (87.9%) and 20/40 or better in 26 patients (78.8%). The IOP was 22 mmHg or less in all 33 cases without the use of anti-glaucoma medications and the mean IOP was 15.1 mmHg (range, 7–22, SD ± 3.9). Postoperative corneal edema occurred in 11 cases (33.3%) and anterior chamber inflammation was present in nine cases (27.3%). Both conditions resolved with standard medical therapy. Conclusion: Manual small incision cataract surgery with trypan blue staining of the anterior capsule is a safe and effective method of cataract extraction for patients with phacolytic glaucoma.

Carbon footprint and cost-effectiveness of cataract surgery.

Purpose of review This article raises awareness about the cost–effectiveness and carbon footprint of various cataract surgery techniques, comparing their relative carbon emissions and expenses: manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS), phacoemulsification, and femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery. Recent findings As the most commonly performed surgical procedure worldwide, cataract surgery contributes significantly to global climate change. The carbon footprint of a single phacoemulsification cataract surgery is estimated to be comparable to that of a typical persons life for 1 week. Phacoemulsification has been estimated to be between 1.4 and 4.7 times more expensive than MSICS; however, given the lower degree of postoperative astigmatism and other potential complications, phacoemulsification may still be preferable to MSICS in relatively resource-rich settings requiring high levels of visual function. Limited data are currently available regarding the environmental and financial impact of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery; however, in its current form, it appears to be the least cost-effective option. Summary Cataract surgery has a high value to patients. The relative environmental impact and cost of different types of cataract surgery should be considered as this treatment becomes even more broadly available globally and as new technologies are developed and implemented.

Association Study in a South Indian Population Supports rs1015213 as a Risk Factor for Primary Angle Closure

PURPOSE Three loci defined by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs11024102 in PLEKHA7, rs3753841 in COL11A1, and rs1015213 between the PCMTD1 and ST18 genes, recently have been associated with primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG). We explored the genetic association of these SNPs with subtypes of primary angle closure in a South Indian population. METHODS The study included three case definitions: primary angle closure/primary angle closure glaucoma (PAC/PACG, N = 180); primary angle closure suspect (PACS, N = 171), and a combined any-angle closure group. Controls consisted of 411 individuals from South India. Genotyping for all three SNPs was performed using the TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. Genetic association was estimated using a χ(2) test statistics and logistic regression. RESULTS Among the three studied SNPs, significant genetic association was identified for rs1015213 in the PAC/PACG (P = 0.002) and any-angle closure (P = 0.003) analyses. However, no significant genetic association was seen when in PACS subjects (P = 0.052). SNPs rs3753841 and rs11024102 showed no evidence of genetic association with angle-closure phenotypes (P > 0.05) in South Indian participants. CONCLUSIONS In our study, rs1015213 (located in the intergenic region between PCMTD1 and ST18) was associated significantly with PAC/PACG, confirming prior reports of an association between this region and angle closure glaucoma. Further work with a larger sample size is necessary to confirm the importance of COL11A1 and PLEKHA7 in the pathogenesis of glaucoma.