Cataract

The 2017 meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) will be held May 5 to 9 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, but at least one guest speaker will be sharing his “out-of-this-world” experiences.

Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) facilitated a precise capsulotomy and reduced phaco energy in a recent ongoing study with about 100 consecutive eyes, said Jeffrey Whitman, MD, Key-Whitman Eye Center, Dallas.

Pre-treatment with the femtosecond laser in eyes undergoing cataract surgery can induce miosis. The use of a pupil expansion device, however, offers an effective method for managing small pupils in femtosecond laser-assisted cases whether the problem pre-exists or is caused by the laser, said Boris Malyugin, MD, PhD.

A third system upgrade for a femtosecond laser system for refractive cataract surgery (Streamline III, LENSAR) will enhance the efficiency of the procedure, according to Jonathan Solomon, MD.

Retinal issues can impact cataract surgery outcomes, especially for those with multifocal or other premium lenses. While multifocal lenses may allow the patient to see more clearly across a range of distances, they may also decrease the amount of light that reaches the retina, exacerbating any issues that may already be present.

White light is comprised of different wavelengths of visible light, ranging from red (700 nm) to violet (400 nm). As white light passes through an optical system, each of its component wavelengths bends independently.

Achieving satisfaction for patients interested in a multifocal IOL begins with comprehensive preoperative screening and evaluation.

Using dysfunctional lens syndrome stages, physicians can discuss a range of treatment options with patients, based on clinical findings and refractive error.

Ophthalmologists must be prepared to perform corneal refractive surgery enhancements after cataract surgery-and LASIK is often the optimal choice, according to Robert K. Maloney, MD.

America may face a public health crisis in coming years unless drastic changes are not made to the public perception of eye health, according to a report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM). Taking steps to create a public conversation about the matter, Allergan has launched a public awareness campaign, See America, to improve this awareness of and access to comprehensive eye exams.

Since making the switch to a markerless toric alignment system, Bryan S. Lee, MD, JD, explains how the technology has eliminated ink marking from his surgical regimen.

Phenylephrine 1%/ketorolac injection 0.3% added to ophthalmic irrigation solution and administered intracamerally during cataract surgery was associated with a statistically significant reduction in surgical time, intraoperative complications, and use of pupil dilating devices and with a statistically significant improvement in best-corrected visual acuity.

A sophisticated integrated formula for IOL power prediction is the featured capability in upgrades to Clarity Medical Systems’ intraoperative wavefront aberrometer.

An intraoperative injection of a compounded formulation of triamcinolone acetonide, moxifloxacin, and vancomycin eliminated the need for supplemental postoperative medications in the vast majority of patients who underwent phacoemulsification and IOL implantation.

When his surgery center was in the market for a new phacoemulsification platform, medical director Jonathan Solomon, MD, decided to switch from a unit equipped with a flow-based peristaltic pump to technology that features a vacuum-based Venturi system (Stellaris PC, Bausch + Lomb).

Aphakic eyes that have no or inadequate capsular support can pose a significant challenge to cataract surgeons. Careful attention to the preoperative considerations, appropriate intraocular lens choices, surgical techniques, and postoperative management can ensure optimal results.

Patients with cataract surgery and microstent implantation had a lowered IOP and a reduced number of medications used at 3 years postoperatively

A new 0.075% formulation of bromfenac ophthalmic solution (BromSite, Sun Pharma) could provide relief from pain and inflammation associated with cataract surgery.

The great thing about making predictions is that it is basically a win-win proposition: if you are correct in your predictions, you are celebrated for being a sage. If you are incorrect, you have the opportunity to learn from them and make better predictions for the next year. Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and a successful 2017!

Here is your roundup of what made top news in 2016!

LENSAR Inc. announced its filing of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition on Dec. 19 to reduce its debt, strengthen its balance sheet, and strengthen its platform for future growth, according to a press release from the company.

Humans are creatures of habit, even ophthalmologists. Having learned to use one device for pupil expansion, it is easy to forget that there are alternative devices.

There was clinically significant less CME in patients who received trans-zonular triamcinolone acetonide, moxifloxacin hydrochloride, and vancomycin-known as the Dropless approach-in addition to an NSAID after cataract surgery.

Looking back over the past year and into the near future, Eric D. Donnenfeld, MD, Robert H. Osher, MD, and Mark Packer, MD, spoke to Ophthalmology Times about developments in diagnostic products and other tools used in cataract surgery. In addition, they discussed combination microinvasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) and office-based surgery as new trends.

Cataract surgeons in the United States have long been envious of the IOL options available to their international colleagues. Finally, in 2016, American ophthalmologists gained access to some novel IOLs such as the Tecnis Symfony Extended Range of Vision IOL and the Tecnis Symfony Toric IOL (Abbott) that were approved by the FDA. According to leading cataract surgeons who spoke to Ophthalmology Times, these simultaneous approvals rank as the biggest cataract surgery news story of the year.

A review of some of the most significant advances in medications for cataract surgery during the past year revealed a mix of the expected with a few surprises.

A case of cataract surgery with planned presbyopia-correcting IOL implantation– complicated by posterior capsule rupture and a postoperative refractive surprise– reinforced important lessons and provided a new revelation to one experienced surgeon.

Findings from an updated analysis of outcomes at a single center reaffirm the safety of femtosecond laser capsulotomy by showing it is associated with a low rate of anterior capsule tears.

Thomas A. Oetting, MD, MS, shared five pearls for operating in eyes with small pupils. In the follow-up discussion, panel members commented on their experiences with newer options for small pupil management.