Posters

Bilateral posterior polar cataract with pre-existing posterior capsule rupture

Poster Details

First Author: C.Galang PHILIPPINES

Co Author(s):                        

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To discuss the findings of patients with spontaneous posterior polar capsule rupture. Emphasize the importance of complete and good pre-operative evaluation in patients with cataracts, especially for beginning cataract surgeons. Discuss the 'layer-by-layer' phacoemulsification technique in patients with pre-existing posterior capsule defects.

Setting:

University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Philippines

Methods:

The patient underwent cataract surgery for both eyes was done by a single senior resident, using a peristalsis type of phaco-machine. The surgery was done under topical anesthesia for both eyes, left eye first, followed by the right eye after 1 week. 2 corneal incisions were done. Capsulorrhexis at about 5mm in size. Only hydrodelineation and no hydrodissection was done. 'Layer-by-layer' phacoemulsification technique was used to remove the lens with settings of bottle height at 60 mmHg, vacuum 250, aspiration 28, torsion 100. The cortex and prolapsed vitreous were removed using vitrector. And IOLs were placed in the sulus.

Results:

On the first post-operative day of the left eye, visual acuity was 20/40, complained of floaters. External eye examination: intact corneal sutures, with +2 AC cells, no RAPD. 1 day post-operative day for the right eye, and 1 week for the left eye, patient had visual acuity of 20/30 and 20/40, for the right and left eye, respectively. 2 months after the operation, patient had no visual complaints. Visual acuity was 20/40 for the right eye, and 20/80 for the left eye. Both eyes had clear cornea, no AC cells, 2-3 mmRTL, no RAPD. IOLs stable in the sulcus.

Conclusions:

Ophthalmologic examination and pre-operative evaluation is imperative in any surgical case. The importance of slit-lamp biomicroscopy techniques and dilated fundus examination cannot be overemphasized when it comes to training and clinical practice. These findings can easily be missed if not properly documented and examined, which may be the source of a complicated and possibly blinding complications. It is true that no surgery is the same, and some cases are more difficult than others. But if equipped with the skills, even with residents still in training, complications can be avoided.

Financial Disclosure:

None