ASCRS 2025: New research findings highlight the surprising impact of hyperosmolarity

Lisa Nijm, MD, joined the Eye Care Network at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ASCRS) annual meeting for an on-camera conversation. Dr. Nijm is the CEO of Warrenville EyeCare and LASIK in Warrenville, Illinois, and an assistant clinical professor of ophthalmology at the University of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary in Chicago, Illinois.

Dr. Nijm discussed her ASCRS presentation, focused on a study of hyperosmolarity's impact on cataract surgery outcomes. "Hyperosmolarity induces light scatter that's equivalent to a grade 2 to 3 cataract," Dr. Nijm said. "What that did show in the study is patients could [undergo] a perfect cataract surgery, pick the right lens...and still, patients would be dissatisfied with their vision afterwards, because they're experiencing this light scatter every time they're blinking. That distorts the image and decreases the quality of their vision"

Hyperosmolar patients were seven times more likely to be dissatisfied post-surgery, Dr. Nijm said, indicating that preoperative osmolarity testing is vital to a successful outcome. Preoperative testing could help clinicians manage patient expectations and improve surgical results, she said. The study results emphasized that it's crucial for surgeons to understand and, where possible, manage osmolarity to enhance refractive outcomes and patient satisfaction in cataract surgery.