At a glance
PHACOEMULSIFICATION SURGERY IN THE UK: DISPLACEMENT OF NUCLEAR FRAGMENTS INTO THE VITREOUS
Displacement of nuclear fragment (DNFV) into the vitreous is a rare but a potentially serious complication of phacoemulsification. Mahmood, von Lany, Cole, et al report on 610 cases collected prospectively through the British Ophthalmological Surveillance Unit (BOSU) compared with randomly selected 521 cases of uncomplicated phacoemulsification. The estimated incidence of DNFV was 0.19–0.28%. Significant preoperative risk factors included posterior synechiae, incomplete pupil dilation, pseudoexfoliation and previous vitrectomy. Significant operative variables were surgical experience, use of topical and sub-Tenon’s anaesthesia and requirement for vision blue. The management of DNFV required secondary procedure in 97% of cases. About three-quarters of the IOLs inserted at the initial surgery were subsequently removed or replaced. Affected eyes still had a worse visual acuity outcome compared with eyes undergoing uncomplicated cataract surgery. The risk factors identified in this study should help to guide case selection and modifications of the surgical technique.
See pages 488 and 493
EFFECTS OF BRINZOLAMIDE AND DORZOLAMIDE ON OCULAR HAEMODYNAMICS
Clinical studies have shown that certain patients with primary …
