Posters

Phacoemulsification without viscoelastics

Poster Details

First Author: S. Mokadam INDIA

Co Author(s):    P. Mokadam                    

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To demonstrate feasibility, safety and efficacy of cataract surgery by phaco-emulsification without using ocular viscoelastic devices (OVD).

Setting:

Anjani Eye Hospital, Nagpur, India

Methods:

Retrospective analysis of 7000 consecutive cases of cataract surgeries performed by phacoemulsification with foldable IOL implantation by a single, from 2005 to 2013. All the steps of surgery, starting from wound construction, continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC), phaco-mulsification, cortex wash, IOL implantation were performed under balanced salt solution (BSS). An anterior chamber maintainer (ACM) was introduced at infero-temporal quadrant through a side-port entry at the start of the surgery & connected separately to the BSS infusion bottle. The main outcome measures of the study were visual acuity, corneal clarity and anterior chamber reaction.

Results:

98% of the patients showed improvement in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) post-operatively. The mean BCVA was 6/9 on Snellen’s chart, with a longest follow-up of about 8yrs. Early post operative findings were Striate keratopathy in 5% and anterior chamber reaction in 7% cases, which improved medically by day 10. Routine complications of phaco surgery like posterior capsular rupture, irregular or incomplete CCC, corneal endothelial damage, were encountered in a few cases. In such situations OVDs were used.

Conclusions:

Our results suggest that phaco-emulsification under BSS can be performed safely, swiftly & efficiently without the use of OVD at any step of the surgery. More so, it reduces the cost of the surgery.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE