Anterior-assisted levitation for the posteriorly dislocated intraocular lens

Retrolental cohesive ophthalmic viscoelastic injection in severely subluxated cataracts: The "Viscolift technique"

INTRODUCTION

To describe a novel surgical approach in the management of subluxated cataracts.

METHODS

A 70-year-old Caucasian male with a subluxated cataract in the left eye was referred to our clinic at the Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna- Ophthalmology Unit. The ophthalmic examination revealed a best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/200 in the left eye with monocular diplopia and a severely subluxated NO6/NC6 cataract and the fundus examination did not reveal any vitreoretinal abnormalities. The right eye had 20/20 BCVA and was pseudophakic. After a 300° conjunctival peritomy, a single 25-gauge valved trocar 4 mm was inserted from the limbus in the inferotemporal quadrant, where the cataract was mainly dislocated and a corneal paracentesis to reduce the anterior chamber intraocular pressure was performed. Subsequently cohesive viscoelastic was progressively injected in the retrolental space through the trocar, to recenter and elevate the subluxated cataract. Thereafter, a complete centered capsulorhexis was performed, four capsular hooks were inserted to stabilize the bag, and complete phacoemulsification was performed with intact posterior capsular support. In the end, given the lack of capsular support elements such as the Cionni ring or Ahmed segment, a sutureless scleral fixated intraocular lens was implanted.

RESULTS

One week after surgery, the BCVA was 20/25, and the final BCVA at 6 months was 20/20, without any complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Retrolental cohesive ophthalmic viscoelastic injection could represent a novel effective surgical approach in recentering and elevating subluxated cataracts, facilitating the capsulorhexis, and reducing the risk of a pars plana approach.

Management of the subluxated crystalline lens: A review

Cataract surgery for the subluxated crystalline lens is challenging. A thorough preoperative evaluation is important to determine the appropriate surgical approach for lens removal and the subsequent technique of intraocular lens placement. Important considerations include the extent and location of zonular weakness, and whether the zonular deficiency is caused by a static or progressive disease. The capsular bag should be preserved where possible. Creating a good-sized and centred continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis is crucial to facilitate the use of capsular retractors and capsular tension devices, which provide capsular stability. Nucleus sculpting and rotation should be minimised to reduce zonular stress. Being cognisant of the possible intraoperative complications that may occur at each stage of the surgery and knowing how to reduce the risk of these complications occurring will enable surgeons to perform safe cataract surgery in these complex cases.

Management of traumatic severely subluxated cataracts

PURPOSE

To determine outcome of cataract surgery in severely subluxated traumatic cataracts.

DESIGN

Noncomparative case series.

METHODS

Retrospective review of cataract surgery in all consecutive eyes with at least 6 clock hours of zonulysis, for patient demographics, presenting best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and postoperative BCVA at various time points, extent of zonulysis, and type and timing of insertion of capsular tension device. Main outcome measures were retention of the capsular bag and BCVA at last visit. Secondary outcome measures included IOL stability and centration, and perioperative complications.

RESULTS

There were 41 eyes (41 patients). Mean age at time of surgery was 57 years and the mean duration of follow-up was 21.4 months. The capsular bag was preserved with aid of a Cionni modified capsular tension ring (CTR) in 36 eyes (87.8%) and a combination of a capsular tension segment (CTS) and CTR in 2 eyes. In 3 eyes with total zonulysis, the bag could not be preserved despite the use of a CTS in 2 eyes. Preoperatively only 9 of the 41 eyes (22.0%) had a BCVA of 20/40 or better, as compared to 38 eyes at the last visit (92.7%, P < .001, χ(2) test). Posterior capsule rupture occurred in 3 eyes, 2 of which occurred during fixation of the CTR.

CONCLUSIONS

The capsular bag can be successfully preserved even in severely subluxated traumatic cataracts with the aid of fixated capsular tension devices.