Posters

Chandelier-assisted retroillumination for phacoemulsification in phacovitrectomy

Poster Details

First Author: S.Mahuvakar INDIA

Co Author(s):    M. Nagpal   P. Chaudhary   N. Mehrotra              

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To describe chandelier assisted retroillumination for phacoemulsification in patients with poor fundal glow due to posterior segment pathology or very dense cataract during combined phacovitrectomy procedure.

Setting:

Retina Foundation, Ahmedabad, India

Methods:

Thirty eyes underwent combined phacoemulsification & 25 gauge sutureless pars plana vitrectomy. Sclerotomy port for chandelier tip was made in the inferotemporal or superonasal quadrant depending on the incision site for phacoemulsification. Later, it was replaced with infusion cannula or endoilluminator. Cases included had posterior segment pathologies like vitreous haemorrhage, vitrits and brown or mature cataract.

Results:

Retroillumination was markedly enhanced during phacoemulsification in all cases. In all eyes, a capsulorhexis was achieved without the use of dye. Posterior capsule remained intact in all cases. The visual acuity in all patients improved, and the median best corrected visual acuity was 20/60 (range 4/60 to 20/30) at 6 months. There were no intraoperative complications in an of the cases. Three cases had posterior synechiae postoperatively.

Conclusions:

Cases with poor red reflex pose a challenge for anterior segment surgeons and chandelier assisted retroillumination proves to be a safe and effective tool in combined phacovitrectomy surgeries. Moreover, no additional sclerotomy is required for this chandelier insertion.

Financial Disclosure:

None