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We describe a unique complication during primary posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (PCCC) in a patient with megalocornea scheduled for phacoemulsification with toric multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. After nucleus emulsification and cortex removal, the capsular bag was filled with cohesive viscoelastic in preparation for PCCC to achieve reverse optic capture of the IOL, thus ensuring stability. However, as soon as the initial puncture was made using a 27-gauge needle to start the capsulotomy, the posterior capsule opening extended peripherally from 0º-180º. This capsule extension was similar to the Argentinean-flag sign in hypermature cataracts, and both are caused by excessive intracapsular pressure. Careful bimanual manipulation was performed to implant the IOL on the desired axis, which occurred uneventfully. At a postoperative visit, the patient exhibited excellent uncorrected visual acuity with a well-aligned IOL.

We demonstrate the combination of pseudophakic monovision technique with toric IOL in patients with relevant corneal astigmatism to reduce spectacle dependence after cataract surgery. All patients achieved UCDVA ³ 20/30 and UCNVA ³ J2 and none of them required spectacle correction on the 6th postoperative month.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a relação da acuidade visual (AV) obtida pelo "potential acuity meter" (PAM) no pré-operatório de cirurgia de catarata com a acuidade visual obtida no pós-operatório, bem como, sua correlação com a classificação morfológica dominante da catarata. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo prospectivo realizado no setor de Catarata do Centro de Estudos do Hospital Monumento envolvendo 63 olhos de 45 pacientes avaliados de julho a setembro de 2006, submetidos à cirurgia de catarata sob a técnica de facoemulsificação com implante de lente intra-ocular, sendo posteriormente excluído 1 olho. No período pré-operatório, foi realizado o PAM sob midríase e seu resultado foi comparado à melhor acuidade visual pós-operatória do terceiro mês e correlacionado com a classificação morfológica da catarata, sendo denominado satisfatório aquele resultado que não variou mais do que duas linhas na tabela de Snellen. RESULTADOS: A média de idade foi de 45,3 anos com média da acuidade visual obtida pelo PAM de 0,64 logMAR. No terceiro mês pós-operatório, a média da melhor acuidade visual corrigida (MAVC) foi de 0,09 logMAR. O PAM hiperestimou o resultado da MAVC em 8 olhos (13%), hipoestimou em 41 olhos (66%) e nos 13 olhos restantes (21%), as acuidades foram idênticas. Este apresentou uma fidelidade inversamente proporcional à intensidade de opacidade do cristalino no caso da catarata nuclear (1+ com 75,5% e 4+ com 33,3%), entretanto esta acurácia foi maior nos casos de subcapsular posterior (85,7%). CONCLUSÃO: O PAM hipoestimou ou manteve da acuidade visual na maioria dos casos (87%). Apresentou uma fidelidade inversamente proporcional à intensidade de opacidade do cristalino no caso da catarata nuclear, 1+ com 75,5% e 4+ com 33,3%; entretanto esta acurácia foi maior nos casos de subcapsular posterior (85,7%). PURPOSE: To evaluate the correlation between the preoperative visual acuity (VA) obtained by the potential acuity meter (PAM) and the postoperative VA in a patient submitted to cataract surgery, as well as its correlation with the dominant morphologic classification of the cataract. METHODS: This is a prospective study performed at the Hospital Monumento Study Center. Sixty-three eyes of 45 patients submitted to phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation were enrolled in this study and 1 eye had been excluded. Besides the complete examination in the preoperative period, PAM was used and its results were compared with the VA at the third postoperative month and correlated with the dominant morphologic cataract classification. The result was called satisfactory when the variation was equal to or less than two lines at the Snellen chart. We transformed the AV into logMAR for comparison with the literature. RESULTS: The mean age was 45.3 years with a mean VA of 0.64 logMAR by the PAM. At the third postoperative month, the mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.09 logMAR. The PAM overestimated the BCVA in 8 eyes (13%), underestimated it in 41 eyes (66%) and in 13 eyes (21%) the BCVA were the same. The satisfactory results regarding nuclear cataract were reduced in cases of higher density (1+/4 with 75.5% e 4+/4 with 33.3%) and increased in the posterior subcapsular cataracts (85.7%). CONCLUSION: PAM revealed an underestimation or maintenance of the BCVA in most cases (87%). Its fidelity was inversely proportional in the nuclear cataracts (1+/4 with 75.5% e 4+/4 with 33.3%) and higher in the posterior subcapsular cataracts.

Purpose To determine the incidence of anterior capsule tears, at what stage of surgery they occurred, and their intraoperative behavior. Setting Ambulatory surgery center, Cincinnati Eye Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. Methods This 5-year retrospective study was of patients having phacoemulsification with posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation complicated by unplanned peripheral extension of the capsulorhexis tear or a radial anterior capsule tear. The operative notes and a videotape of the surgery were reviewed. The stage at which the tear was initially observed and when it extended were identified, as was whether the tear extended to the posterior capsule. Anterior vitrectomy and the design and location of the IOL implanted were also analyzed. Results A discontinuous anterior capsulorhexis or a break in the anterior capsule rim was observed in 21 eyes of 2646 cases, for an overall incidence of 0.79%. Anterior capsule tears were identified during ophthalmic viscosurgical device injection in 1 eye, capsulorhexis in 13 eyes, hydrodissection in 2 eyes, phacoemulsification in 3 eyes, irrigation/aspiration (I/A) in 1 eye, and implantation of a prosthetic iris device in 1 eye. Seven of the 13 tears identified during the capsulorhexis were managed by redirecting the second edge of the "safety" capsulorhexis to incorporate the tear. In 14 eyes, the tear in the anterior capsule extended into the zonules; 4 of these tears were limited. Ten tears extended around the equator and through the posterior capsule, occurring during the hydrodissection in 1 eye, phacoemulsification in 2 eyes, I/A in 1 eye, and IOL implantation in 6 eyes. An anterior vitrectomy was required in 4 eyes that had posterior capsule involvement. Endocapsular fixation of a 1-piece acrylic IOL was achieved in 18 eyes. Three eyes required implantation of a 3-piece acrylic IOL in the ciliary sulcus. Conclusions Extension of an anterior capsule tear can complicate cataract surgery at any stage. Extension of the tear through the posterior capsule occurred in almost half the eyes with an anterior capsule tear, often requiring an anterior vitrectomy. Managing an anterior capsule tear can be challenging yet compatible with implantation of a posterior chamber IOL.

Purpose: To describe 5 subtle signs of zonular damage. Setting: Cincinnati Eye Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. Methods: Three patients with a history of ocular trauma and 1 patient with Marfan's syndrome are described. During the preoperative examination, subtle signs of zonular damage were detected. As a result of the early recognition, critical modifications in cataract surgery technique and technology were made. Results: The signs of zonular damage identified in the patients were visibility of the lens equator during eccentric gaze, decentered nucleus in primary position, iridolenticular gap, changes in the contour of the lens periphery, and focal iridodonesis. Conclusion: Identification of subtle but important signs of zonular damage will better prepare the surgeon for a challenging surgical procedure.

A 3-step technique for staining the anterior lens capsule was developed to optimize the use of a capsule dye (trypan blue or indocyanine green) during capsulorhexis. After the injection of a viscoadaptive ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD) (sodium hyaluronate 2.3% [Healon®5]), which fills the anterior chamber, balanced salt solution (BSS®) is gently injected onto the anterior capsule, creating a wafer-thin, fluid-filled space beneath the OVD. The dye is slowly injected through a 27-gauge cannula (Duckworth & Kent), selectively mixing with the BSS and allowing relatively accurate painting of the anterior capsule, approximating the size and shape of the intended capsulorhexis. This 3-step technique avoids the use of air as well as the uncontrolled dispersion and excessive accumulation of dye within the OVD.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the distance, intermediate and near visual acuity of patients with bilateral cataract operated on both eyes corrected for distance in one eye and for near in the fellow eye, as well as, their stereo acuity and their general satisfaction. SETTINGS: Hospital de Olhos de São Paulo and Complexo Hospitalar Padre Bento - Guarulhos - São Paulo - Brazil. METHODS: This is a prospective study of 76 eyes of 38 patients with bilateral cataract aiming to become spectacle free after surgery. The patients were operated on both eyes; the first eye was corrected for distance and the fellow eye for near vision. The refractive error was programmed between -0.5 D and +0.5 D in the first eye and -2.00 D in the second eye. Patients with preoperative corneal astigmatism equal or higher than 1.0 D were excluded from the study. The uncorrected and best-corrected distant visual acuity (UCDVA, BCDVA) were tested, as well as the uncorrected near visual acuity (UCNVA) and collected at the 3 postoperative months. The Titmus test was performed at the last follow-up. Finally, the modified questionnaire VF-7 was applied and the patient was required to choose, regarding their general satisfaction, between very satisfied, satisfied, or unsatisfied. RESULTS: All patients achieved uncorrected distant visual acuity 20/40 or better (mean SE 0.625 D) and uncorrected near visual acuity J3 or better (mean SE -2.0 D), and intermediate visual acuity J3 in 90%. The Titmus test revealed an average of 197" of arc with reduction of stereo acuity in most of patients as expected and 97.3% of patients demonstrated to be satisfied or very satisfied with this technique. CONCLUSION: It consists in a viable technique for correction of near, intermediate and distant vision on cataract surgery as demonstrated by the high rate of satisfaction (97.3%) by the modified VF-7 questionnaire, especially when the patient has no access to a multifocal intraocular lens. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a acuidade visual para longe, perto e intermediária dos pacientes operados de catarata bilateral em ambos os olhos corrigidos para longe em um olho e para perto no olho contralateral, bem como sua acuidade estereoscópica e sua satisfação geral. LOCAL: Hospital de Olhos de São Paulo e Complexo Hospitalar Padre Bento - Guarulhos - São Paulo - Brasil. MÉTODOS: Este é um estudo prospectivo com 76 olhos de 38 pacientes com catarata bilateral e desejo de ficar independente de óculos após a cirurgia. Os pacientes foram operados em ambos os olhos; o primeiro olho foi corrigido para longe e o contralateral para perto. O erro refrativo programado foi entre -0,5 D e +0,5 D para o primeiro olho e -2,0 D no segundo. Pacientes com astigmatismo corneao pré-operatório igual ou maior que 1,0 D foram excluídos do estudo. A acuidade visual sem correção e melhor acuidade visual para longe foram testadas, bem como, a acuidade visual sem correção para perto, e coletadas no terceiro mês pós-operatório. O teste de Titmus foi realizado na última visita. Finalmente, o questionário modificado VF-7 foi aplicado e ao paciente foi solicitado escolher, em relação à satisfação geral entre satisfeito, muito satisfeito ou insatisfeito. RESULTADOS: Todos pacientes atingiram acuidade visual sem correção para longe de 20/40 ou melhor (EE médio de 0,625 D) e acuidade visual para perto sem correção de J3 ou melhor (EE médio de -2,0 D), e acuidade visual intermediária de J3 em 90%. O teste de Titmus revelou uma redução média de 197" de arco na maioria dos pacientes como esperado e 97,3% dos pacientes demonstraram estar satisfeitos ou muito satisfeitos com esta técnica. CONCLUSÃO: Esta técnica consiste em uma opção viável para correção da acuidade visual de perto, longe e intermediária na cirurgia de catarata como demonstrado pela alta taxa de satisfação (97,3%) através do questionário VF-7, especialmente quando o paciente não tem acesso a uma lente intraocular multifocal.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o comportamento do anel modificado de tensão capsular em cataratas traumáticas com subluxação, analisando a acuidade visual, centração do saco capsular, pseudofacodonese, seguimento pós-operatório, e complicações intra e pós-operatórias. LOCAL: Cincinnati Eye Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. MÉTODOS: Vinte e dois olhos de 22 pacientes com perda traumática de suporte zonular foram submetidos à facoemulsificação utilizando lente intra-ocular de câmara posterior e o implante do anel capsular modificado. O exame pré-operatório incluiu melhor acuidade visual corrigida (MAVC), a presença ou ausência de facodonese, descentração do cristalino e prolapso vítreo. A avaliação pós-operatória incluiu MAVC, presença de pseudofacodonese, centração do implante, necessidade de vitrectomia e outras complicações. RESULTADOS: Vinte e um olhos (95,45%) tiveram melhora da MAVC. O exame pré-operatório revelou facodonese em 11 olhos (50%) e nenhum olho apresentou pseudofacodonese. No exame pré-operatório, a descentração sintomática estava presente em 10 olhos (45,45%). Todos os olhos apresentaram centração do complexo saco capsular/LIO no pós-operatório. Prolapso vítreo foi diagnosticado antes da cirurgia em 9 olhos (40,90%) e a vitrectomia foi necessária em 11 olhos (50%). CONCLUSÃO: O uso do anel modificado de tensão capsular resultou em boa centração do complexo saco capsular/lente intra-ocular nos olhos estudados com catarata traumática e perda de suporte zonular. PURPOSE: To evaluate the behavior of the modified capsular tension ring (MCTR) in traumatic subluxated cataracts analyzing the visual acuity, centration of the capsular bag, pseudophacodonesis, postoperative follow-up and intra- and postoperative complications. SETTING: Cincinnati Eye Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. METHODS: Twenty-two eyes of 22 patients with traumatic loss of zonular support had phacoemulsification using PCIOL and MCTR implantation. The preoperative examination included best correct visual acuity (BCVA) and the presence or absence of phacodonesis, lens decentration and vitreous prolapse. The postoperative evaluation included BCVA, the presence of pseudophacodonesis, PCIOL centration, necessity of vitrectomy and other complications. RESULTS: 21 eyes (95.45%) had an improvement in BCVA. The preoperative examination disclosed phacodonesis in 11 eyes (50%) and no eye presented pseudophacodonesis in the postoperative period. Preoperatively, symptomatic decentration was presented by 10 eyes (45.45%) and 22 eyes (100%) had no decentration after surgery. The preoperative examination revealed vitreous prolapse in the anterior chamber in 9 eyes (40.90%). Vitrectomy was required in 11 eyes (50%). CONCLUSIONS: The use of the MCTR resulted in a good centration of the capsular bag and the PC IOL in 22 eyes with traumatic cataract and loss of zonular support.

Purpose To analyze the indications for intraocular lens (IOL) exchange, interval between the first IOL implantation and the exchange, type and mix of IOLs used, effect on vision, and frequency of complications. Setting Cincinnati Eye Institute-Cincinnati-Ohio-USA. Methods This retrospective study comprised 49 eyes of 49 adult patients who had IOL exchange between 1986 and 2002 performed by the same surgeon. The mean age was 70 years old, and 55% were women. The mean interval between surgeries was 53.8 months and the mean follow-up, 35.6 months. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the type of IOL originally implanted: anterior chamber (AC) or posterior chamber (PC). Results There were 15 eyes with an AC IOL and 34 eyes with a PC IOL. The difference in mean age and follow-up were not statistically significant between groups. The mean interval between the primary surgery and IOL explantation was 82.3 months in the AC IOL group and 37.9 months in the PC IOL group. The main reason for IOL exchange was inflammation (53.34%) and dislocation/decentration (85.30%), respectively. The preoperative best corrected visual acuity was similar in both groups, and visual acuity was maintained or improved in 80%. Vitreous prolapse was the main intraoperative complication. Conclusions The primary indication for IOL exchange was intraocular inflammation in patients with an AC IOL and IOL malposition in patients with a PC IOL. The results confirm the safety and positive visual outcome in this complex group of patients.

Os autores relatam uma complicacao no periodo pos-operatorio relativamente recente na cirurgia de catarata. Trata-se de paciente que foi submetido a cirurgia de catarata bilateral nao simultânea com implante sacular da lente intra-ocular (Sensar®). O pos-operatorio do olho direito evoluiu sem nenhuma queixa, entretanto, no olho esquerdo o paciente referiu a presenca de uma sombra em campo visual temporal na primeira semana de pos-operatorio sendo diagnosticado disfotopsia negativa apos exclusao de outras causas oculares, principalmente retinianas. Este diagnostico foi confirmado com a presenca de um escotoma temporal na campimetria visual computadorizada (relatado na literatura pela primeira vez neste estudo) e tambem com a reducao medicamentosa do tamanho da pupila. Seu tratamento foi realizado com a administracao de tartarato de brimonidina e apos 6 meses o sintoma desapareceu sendo tambem documentado com o campo visual (ausencia de escotoma). A disfotopsia negativa deve ser tratada visando reduzir a area pupilar e observar por pelo menos 6 meses antes de indicar a troca do lente intra-ocular, uma vez que a capsula anterior que cobre a LIO pode opacificar criando uma barreira optica reduzindo ou eliminando esta complicacao.

Relato de complicação relacionada ao uso do azul de tripano 0,1% ocorrida ao corar a cápsula anterior do cristalino em facectomia extracapsular com implante de lente intra-ocular. O corante foi injetado sob alta pressão utilizando a técnica de bolha de ar ocasionando a migração deste através da zônula e conseqüente perda do reflexo vermelho no peroperatório dificultando os passos subseqüentes à extração da catarata e comprometendo temporariamente a acuidade visual no pós-operatório. Tendo como objetivo evitar esta complicação, os autores descrevem ainda, o uso da Técnica de bolha de ar modificada no qual o viscoelástico dispersivo é injetado no espaço iridolenticular 360° para compor uma barreira de proteção. Report of a complication related to the use of 0.1% trypan blue during capsular staining of the anterior crystalline lens capsule in an extracapsular cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation. The capsular dye was injected using an air-bubble technique, inadvertently, it was done using high pressure dispersing the dye through the zonules leading to a complete losts of red reflex, the following steps of the procedure becoming more difficult after the cataract extraction and causing a temporary disturbance of visual acuity in the postoperative period. In order to avoid this complication, the authors also describe the use of Modified air-bubble technique where dispersive viscoelastic is placed into the iridolenticular space 360° to create a protection barrier. Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Faculdade de Medicina do ABC Departamento de Oftalmologia Universidade Federal de São Paulo, EPM, São Paulo, Brazil SciELO

A brother and sister presented with a history of difficulty reading fine print and an intolerance to glare. Family history was positive for bilateral posterior lenticonus in the mother. Biomicroscopy confirmed that each sibling had bilateral posterior lenticonus that was more easily diagnosed in the brother. Uneventful phacoemulsification was performed in each eye with a foldable acrylic posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) placed vertically within the capsular bag in 3 eyes and horizontally in 1 eye. On the day after surgery, biomicroscopy revealed vertical wrinkles limited to the central 2.0 mm of the posterior capsule corresponding to the cone in the eyes in which the IOLs had been vertically placed. We hypothesize that these striae occurred within the cone as a result of redistributing the usual mechanical forces associated with capsule stretch between the most distal contact points of the haptics. We believe that the appearance of these multiple striae limited to the central posterior capsule represents an unreported postoperative finding associated with posterior lenticonus.

Purpose To evaluate the results of implantation of a modified capsular tension ring (MCTR) and a posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC IOL) in patients with congenitally subluxated crystalline lenses. Setting Cincinnati Eye Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. Methods Ninety eyes of 57 patients with congenital loss of zonular support (Weill-Marchesani syndrome, idiopathic ectopia lentis, and Marfan's syndrome) had phacoemulsification with PC IOL and MCTR implantation. The preoperative examination included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the presence or absence of phacodonesis, lens decentration, and vitreous prolapse. The postoperative evaluation included BCVA and the presence or absence of pseudophacodonesis, PC IOL centration, and posterior capsule opacification (PCO). Results At the last postoperative examination, the BCVA was 20/40 or better in 80 eyes (88.9%); 1 eye (1.1%) lost 1 line of acuity. Preoperatively, 18 eyes (20%) had phacodonesis; 1 eye had postoperative pseudophacodonesis. Decentration before surgery was present in 86 eyes (95.6%); 6 eyes (6.7%) developed late symptomatic PC IOL decentration a median of 17.84 months ± 10.73 (SD) after surgery. Other complications were increased intraocular pressure (2.2%), persistent iritis (3.3%), broken suture (10.0%), retinal detachment (1.1%), and PCO (20.0%). Conclusions Use of the MCTR resulted in centration of the capsular bag and PC IOL in 90 eyes with congenitally subluxated crystalline lenses. Fixation of a 9-0 polypropylene suture is recommended to decrease the risk for late suture breakage.

Purpose: To determine how often the empty-bag technique (EBT) for injecting an acrylic foldable intraocular lens (IOL) into the capsular bag using Healon®5 (sodium hyaluronate 2.3%) will require a 2-compartment technique to remove the ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD) and compare this with that of a standard injection method using Healon5. Setting: Cincinnati Eye Institute and Ambulatory Surgical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. Methods: Forty-one eyes of 40 patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups. In Group A, standard capsular bag expansion was performed with Healon5 before implantation of an acrylic posterior chamber (PC) IOL. In Group B, Healon5 was placed in the anterior chamber followed by balanced salt solution expansion of the capsular bag before acrylic PC IOL implantation. In all patients, complete OVD removal was attempted with the automated aspiration tip anterior to the optic (rock 'n roll technique). The number of patients in each group who required placement of the aspiration tip posterior to the optic for complete removal was compared. Early postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) was also compared. Results: In Group A, 15 (75%) of 20 eyes required placement of the aspiration tip posterior to the optic for complete OVD removal and in Group B, 1 (0.05%) of 20 eyes. The postoperative IOP was similar in both groups. Conclusions: The EBT decreased the likelihood that a 2-compartment OVD removal method would be necessary when using Healon5 for acrylic PC IOL implantation. The limitations of this new technique must be fully understood before it is used.

We present 3 cases of intraocular lens (IOL) exchange in which a neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser was used before surgery to fracture a haptic and make intraocular manipulations easier and safer. Strategic placement of the fracture facilitates maneuvering to explant the IOL segments. Delaying pupil dilation until after the Nd:YAG laser is used and prudent positioning of the patient's head minimize the risk that freed IOL segments will damage the cornea or subluxate posteriorly into the vitreous cavity. Neodymium:YAG laser IOL fracture before explantation/ exchange is a viable combined procedure.

Cataract surgery has evolved dramatically over the last two decades, largely as a result of technological advances. As a result, visual outcomes and patient convalescence have improved significantly. A second consequence of increased instrumentation and technology, however, is increased complexity of cataract surgery and the advent of complications unique to these advances. Cataract surgeons must be aware and capable of managing the many possible adverse events that can occur during cataract surgery. This review identifies many of the common complications of cataract surgery, describes methods to avoid these complications and discusses techniques to address complications that do occur. It is the ability to avoid, quickly identify, and properly manage complications that defines the accomplished cataract surgeon.