Postoperative pain after cataract surgery

Postoperative Pain Following Eye Enucleation: A Prospective Observational Study

Background and Objectives: Enucleation of an eye is the most invasive procedure in ophthalmologic surgery. It can be the result of various diseases (malignant/chronic/trauma/infection) and is nevertheless relatively rare, but leads to the loss of a strongly innervated neuronal organ. This study systematically evaluates postoperative pain levels following enucleation of the eye globe. Materials and Methods: This prospective single-center study enrolled twenty-four patients undergoing enucleation of the eye globe. Perioperatively all patients completed (preoperative day, day of surgery, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd day following surgery) standardized questionnaires concerning their pain experience and treatment-related side-effects (internal protocol, QUIPS, painDETECT®). Patients received usual pain therapy in an unstandardized individual manner. Results: Preoperatively, mean average pain intensity of all included patients was 3.29 ± 2.46 (range, 0-8), 3.29 ± 3.24 (range, 0-8) on the day of surgery, 4.67 ± 1.90 (range, 2-10) on day 1, 3.25 ± 1.39 (range, 1-6) on day 2, and 2.71 ± 1.30 (range, 1-6) on day 3 after surgery. Mean maximum pain intensity was 4.71 ± 3.28 (range, 0-10) preoperatively, 4.04 ± 3.78 (range, 0-10) on the day of surgery, 5.75 ± 2.01 (range, 2-10) on day 1, 4.25 ± 1.89 (range, 2-10) on day 2, and 3.88 ± 1.54 (range, 2-8) on day 3 after surgery. Nineteen patients (79.2%) stated that they would have preferred more pain therapy. Conclusions: Patients undergoing eye enucleation report pain sensations in need of intervention in this university hospital. Thus, effective standardized pain treatment concepts are now a high priority to be established in an interdisciplinary manner containing standardized regimens and continuous regional procedures. Awareness of this problem in the medical team should be sharpened through targeted training and information.

Immediate postoperative topical lidocaine gel for the treatment of eye pain following corneal abrasion in descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) under general anaesthesia: a pilot retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND

Patients undergoing corneal abrasion as part of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) under general anesthesia suffer from early burning pain postoperatively. This pain appears to be poorly treatable with systemic analgesics. This study aims to evaluate postoperative pain management using topical lidocaine gel after DMEK with iatrogenic corneal abrasion.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 28 consecutive patients undergoing DMEK with corneal abrasion from October 19, 2021, to November 12, 2021, at a German university hospital. Patients during week 1 and 2 received peri-operative standard pain treatment (cohort S) and additional local lidocaine gel during week 3 and 4 immediately postoperatively (cohort L).

RESULTS

13 patients were included in cohort S and 15 patients in cohort L. At awakening all patients (100%) in cohort S reported burning pain, and six of 15 patients (40%) in cohort L reported burning pain. Burning pain scores were significantly lower in cohort L (p < 0.001 at awakening, p < 0.001 at 10 min, p < 0.001 at 20 min, p < 0.001 at 30 min, p = 0.007 at 40 min after awakening, and p < 0.001 at leaving recovery room). No significant differences between cohort S and cohort L were detected concerning surgical outcome during 1-month-follow-up (p = 0.901 for best corrected visual acuity).

CONCLUSION

Patients undergoing DMEK with corneal abrasion suffer significant pain in the recovery room. A single dose of topic lidocaine gel reduces the early postoperative burning pain sufficiently and does not affect the surgical outcome.

Pharmacological management of intra-operative miosis during cataract surgery

Cataract surgery requires a well-dilated and stable pupil for a good outcome. Unexpected pupillary constriction during surgery increases the risk of complication. This problem is more pronounced in children. There are now pharmacological interventions that help tackle this unforeseen happening. Our review discusses the simple and quick options available to a cataract surgeon when faced with this dilemma. As cataract surgical techniques continue to improvise and get faster, an adequate pupil size is of paramount importance. Various topical and intra-cameral drugs are used in combination to achieve mydriasis. Despite good pre-operative dilation, the pupil can be quite unpredictable during surgery. Intra-operative miosis limits the field of surgery and increases the risk of complications. For example, if the pupil size decreases from 7 mm to 6 mm, this 1 mm change in pupil diameter will lead to a decrease of 10.2 mm2 in the area of surgical field. Making a good capsulorhexis with a small pupil can be a challenge, even for an experienced surgeon. Repeated touching of the iris increases the risk of fibrinous complications. Removal of cataract and the cortical matter becomes increasingly difficult. Intra-ocular lens implantation in the bag also requires adequate dilation. When dealing with challenging cases like lens subluxation, pseudo-exfoliation, and zonular dehiscence, a small pupil further increases the risk and adversely affects the surgical outcome. Hence, achieving and maintaining adequate mydriasis throughout surgery is essential. This review highlights the risk factors for small pupils during surgery and current management strategies.

Factors affecting the prevalence, severity, and characteristics of ocular surface pain

Introduction

Ocular surface pain has been traditionally lumped under the umbrella term "dry eye" (DE) but is now understood as its own entity and can occur in the absence or presence of tear dysfunction. Identifying patients at risk for the development of chronic ocular surface pain, and factors contributing to its severity are important in providing precision medicine to patients.

Areas covered

In this review, we discuss factors linked to the presence and severity of ocular surface pain, including eye related features, systemic characteristics, and environmental findings. We discuss corneal nerves, whose anatomic and functional integrity can be characterized through in vivo confocal microscopy images and testing of corneal sensitivity. We review systemic diseases that are co-morbid with ocular surface pain, including physical and mental health diagnoses. Finally, we identify environmental contributors, including air pollution, previous surgeries, and medications, associated with ocular surface pain.

Expert opinion

Intrinsic and extrinsic factors contribute to ocular surface pain and must be considered when evaluating an individual patient. These factors can inform the suspected etiology of the pain, and guide management decisions such as tear replacement or medications targeting nerve pain.

Effect of Blue Light-Filtering Intraocular Lenses on Insomnia After Cataract Surgery: A Nationwide Cohort Study With 10-Year Follow-up

PURPOSE

To compare the incidence of clinically diagnosed insomnia after cataract surgery in pseudophakic eyes with blue light-filtering intraocular lenses (BF-IOLs) and non-BF-IOLs.

DESIGN

Nationwide cohort study using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database.

METHODS

We enrolled 171,415 patients who underwent cataract surgery in both eyes between 2008 and 2013 and followed them till 2018. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance the baseline characteristics between the 2 IOL groups. The Cox model and cause-specific hazard model were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) and subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR).

RESULTS

Overall, 19,604 (11.4%) and 151,811 (88.6%) patients had BF-IOL and non-BF-IOL implants, respectively. The BF-IOL group tended to be younger and had fewer chronic diseases. Within a mean follow-up period of 6.2 years, the incidence rates of insomnia (per 100 person-years) in the BF-IOL and non-BF-IOL groups were 2.97 and 3.21, respectively. There was no significant difference in the incidence rate of insomnia between the 2 IOL groups after treating all-cause mortality as a competing risk (SHR 0.98, 95% CI 0.95-1.01) and after PSM (HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.92-1.01), respectively. Subgroup analysis revealed no significant difference in the insomnia rate between the 2 IOL groups for various age groups, 2 sex groups, and men with and without benign prostatic hyperplasia.

CONCLUSION

In Taiwan, the use of a BF-IOL for up to 10 years had no apparent disadvantage over non-BF-IOLs with respect to insomnia.

Opioid Prescribing Patterns of Optometrists in the Medicare Part D Database

SIGNIFICANCE

This study aimed to determine the prescription rates and prescribing trends of opioids by optometrists in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) part D database from 2013 to 2017 and to assess opioid prescribing patterns of U.S. optometrists in the CMS part D database.

METHODS

With internal review board approval, a retrospective observational cohort study was conducted on optometrists listed in the CMS part D database who prescribed opioids from 2013 to 2017.

RESULTS

There was an average of 26,477 optometrists in the CMS database from 2013 to 2017, of which 5.9% prescribed opioids. Of those prescribing opioids, optometrists wrote an average of 5.9 opioid prescriptions per year. Those writing greater than 10 opioid prescriptions averaged 24.2 annually. Overall, of opioid prescribing optometrists, opioid prescriptions comprised 7% of prescriptions written per year.

CONCLUSIONS

Most optometrists do not prescribe opioids, and the vast majority of those who do write few opioid prescriptions. The total number of optometrists prescribing opioids and the total number of opioid prescriptions declined from 2013 to 2017. Further investigation into the opioid prescribing practices by optometrists will help better understand specific pain needs, as opioid prescribing patterns may differ depending on patient population.

Same-Day versus Next-Day Dexamethasone Intracanalicular Insert Administration for Inflammation and Pain Control Following Cataract Surgery: A Retrospective Analysis

Background

The dexamethasone 0.4mg intracanalicular insert (Dextenza, Ocular Therapeutix, Bedford, MA) is approved for control of postoperative pain and inflammation following ocular surgery. This study compared pain and inflammation resolution following phacoemulsification in eyes that received the insert immediately postoperatively versus the next day.

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of existing electronic health records. Consecutive qualifying eyes were included for analysis. All patients received perioperative antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Pain and inflammation were assessed at baseline and on postoperative days 1, 7, and 30. Pain was assessed by dichotomous patient report (present/absent). Anterior chamber cell (0, 0.5+, 1–4+) and flare (0–4+) were graded using the Standardization of Uveitis Nomenclature rubric.

Results

Data from 17 eyes of 17 subjects were analyzed; 8 received the insert immediately postoperative and 9 in the office the next day. In both groups, trace cell was present in all eyes at day 1 and had resolved in all but 1 eye in each group at days 7 and 30. Flare was absent in all eyes at every time point, and transient pain was reported in a single same-day eye on day 7. No insert-related adverse events were observed, and no eyes required rescue corticosteroid therapy or insert removal.

Conclusion

Similar rates of inflammation and pain resolution after phacoemulsification were observed with the dexamethasone intracanalicular insert placed either immediately postoperatively or the next day.

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Long-acting opioid prescribing patterns of ophthalmic plastic surgeons in the medicare Part D database

PURPOSE

To assess extended release/long acting (ER/LA) opioid prescribing patterns among ophthalmic plastic surgeons in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Part D database.

METHODS

A retrospective observational cohort study was conducted on oculoplastic surgeons in the CMS Part D database who prescribed ER/LA opioids from 2013 to 2017. American Society of Ophthalmic Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) and non-ASOPRS surgeons were analyzed as groups. Prescribers were also analyzed based on gender and practice experience.

RESULTS

Oculoplastic surgeons (64 ASOPRS and 78 non-ASOPRS) were responsible for 1,177 ER/LA opioid prescriptions from 2013 to 2017. ASOPRS members accounted for 4.6% and non-ASOPRS members accounted for 7.5% of all ER/LA opioids prescribed by ophthalmologists over the study period (p= .02). The total number of ASOPRS and non-ASOPRS members prescribing ER/LA opioids decreased by 52% (p= .10) and 58% (p= .07) from 2013 to 2017 respectively.

CONCLUSION

ER/LA opioids are indicated for treatment of chronic pain and may be appropriately prescribed by the oculoplastic surgeon in certain circumstances, however due to the higher risk of overdose injury, those circumstances must be defined and justified. While a relatively small number of oculoplastic surgeons (10.6% ASOPRS and 19.6% non-ASOPRS) prescribed ER/LA opioids from 2013 to 2017, non-ASOPRS oculoplastic surgeons wrote 23.5% more ER/LA opioid prescriptions over the study period. Over the 5-year study period there was a general decline in the prescribing of ER/LA opioids by oculoplastic surgeons. Reviewing the prescribing practices of oculoplastic specialists, regardless of professional affiliation, is necessary to understand the role of ER/LA opioids for all of ophthalmology.

Changes in Tear Osmolarity after Cataract Surgery

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to examine changes in the ocular surface before and after phacoemulsification with small incisions and to examine the changes in tear osmolarity.

METHODS

This was a prospective, observational study involving 55 eyes of 39 patients (19 male, 20 female patients; average age 72.0±7.3 years) who had cataract surgery at a Nippon Medical School Hospital between December 2013 and June 2018. Compromised tear dynamics were determined by the Schirmer test or the tear break-up time (BUT). An abnormal ocular surface was identified by positive vital staining with fluorescein or lissamine green. Moreover, tear osmolarity (Tosm) and corneal sensitivity were measured. All assessments were done preoperatively and 1 and 4 weeks (P1W and P4W) after the surgery.

RESULTS

None of the operations had any complications. Operating time was 17.8±9.3 minutes. BUT was significantly decreased at P1W, and it recovered at P4W. The Schirmer test did not change significantly. The fluorescein staining score (FSS) increased significantly at P1W and recovered at P4W. The Lissamine green score (LSS) did not change significantly. Tear osmolarity increased significantly at P1W and did not recover at P4W. Corneal sensitivity decreased significantly at P1W and recovered at P4W.

CONCLUSION

In the present study, there were temporary changes in dry eye-related examinations including tear osmolarity after cataract surgery. In particular, tear osmolarity increased significantly 4 weeks after surgery compared to before surgery, and it showed long-term changes, unlike other factors. After cataract surgery, tear osmolarity, BUT, and FSS increase, resulting in dry eye symptoms. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to discomfortable eye symptoms of patients after cataract surgery.

Real-world opioid prescribing after cataract surgery among patients who received intracameral phenylephrine and ketorolac 1.0%/0.3

OBJECTIVE

To examine opioid prescribing following cataract surgery among patients who did or did not receive Omidria (phenylephrine and ketorolac intraocular solution 1.0%/0.3%) referred to as "P/K".

METHODS

The retrospective study compared adults over 65 without recent opioid use in the MarketScan databases who had a cataract-related surgical procedure between 1 January 2015 and 31 July 2019. Opioid prescription fills in the initial 2 and 7 days following surgery were compared between patients who did or did not receive P/K during surgery.

RESULTS

We identified 218,672 older adults with cataract-related surgical procedures, of whom 5145 received P/K during surgery. Within 2 days of surgery, 0.50% of P/K patients and 0.68% of non-P/K patients received at least one opioid prescription. Pill counts in the first prescription post-surgery were lower for patients who received P/K than those who did not receive P/K (20 vs 45 respectively, p = .015). Findings were similar when a 7 day window was used. The reduction in opioids prescribed to patients who received P/K occurred despite the P/K-treated patients having a significantly higher incidence of preoperative comorbidities or risk factors for surgical complexity than patients who did not receive P/K (46.6% vs 31.3%, p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients without recent opioid use who received P/K during cataract surgery, despite greater incidence of preoperative comorbidities and higher risk for surgical complexity, were prescribed fewer opioid pills following surgery than patients who did not receive P/K.

Analgesic effect of topical and subconjunctival morphine in dogs after phacoemulsification: A pilot study

OBJECTIVE

To determine the efficacy of a single treatment of topical and subconjunctival 0.1% preservative-free morphine sulfate (PFMS) in providing analgesia following phacoemulsification in dogs.

ANIMALS STUDIED

Ten diabetic and ten non-diabetic client-owned dogs treated with bilateral phacoemulsification.

PROCEDURES

A prospective, randomized, masked, negative-controlled clinical trial was performed. All dogs received topical (0.2 mL) and subconjunctival (0.1 mL) 0.1% PFMS in one eye following phacoemulsification. The other eye received an equal volume and mode of administration of balanced salt solution (BSS). Ophthalmic examination, blinking rates, tearing, conjunctival hyperemia, aqueous flare, and central corneal esthesiometry (CCE) were evaluated in all eyes 1 day prior to surgery and at 4, 24, and 48 hours after surgery. Complete physical examination, ocular ultrasound, electroretinogram, hemogram, and serum biochemistry panel were performed in all dogs prior to phacoemulsification. All dogs received the standard of care treatment before and after surgery, including uniform anesthetic protocol.

RESULTS

Baseline ophthalmic exams were unremarkable, except for the presence of cataracts, in all dogs. The mean CCE (±SD) at 4 hours post-operatively was 1.76 ± 1.27 g/mm² and 1.85 ± 1.5 g/mm² for the negative control and PFMS groups, respectively. There were no statistical differences in blepharospasm, conjunctival hyperemia, tearing, aqueous flare, blinking rates, CCE, or intraocular pressure (IOP) between the treatment groups for any of the time points for the non-diabetic and diabetic dogs, or for all dogs combined (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Topical and subconjunctival 0.1% PFMS did not affect the evaluated parameters after phacoemulsification in the study dogs at the timepoints assessed.

Pain Following the Use of Anesthesia Formulation Among Individuals Undergoing Cataract Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose

To assess the pain intensity of two intracameral anesthetic solutions in patients undergoing cataract surgery and evaluate the factors influencing the patients’ postoperative activities.

Methods

Sixty-two patients undergoing cataract surgery were randomized to receive the study drug – a manufactured solution of 0.02% tropicamide/0.31% phenylephrine/1% lidocaine (Mydrane) or a traditional anesthetic formulation - solution of 1% lidocaine/0.025% adrenaline as an intraocular anesthetic. The pain intensity was assessed by Visual Analog Scale for Pain (VAS Pain) and Brief Pain Inventory-short form (BPI) on the next day after the surgery.

Results

The mean pain score measured preoperatively with VAS Pain was 0.34 in Mydrane group and 0.09 in the reference group (p = 0.51). There were no statistically significant differences between the two anesthetic methods with respect to pain intensity during the surgery (p = 0.94) and the influence of pain during the last 24 h on activity (p = 0.79), mood (p = 0.31), social contacts (p = 0.29), sleep (p = 0.5) and the joy of life (p = 0.39). Additionally, there was no statistically significant influence of age, sex, lateralization, co-existing ophthalmological diseases (p = 0.98) and post-operative complications (p = 0.4) on the experienced pain measured during the surgery and in the last 24 h.

Conclusions

New commercially available intraocular anesthetic solution (Mydrane™) seems to be as effective as off-label traditional anesthetic formulation, in reducing the pain experienced during cataract surgery under topical anesthesia.

Perioperative Dexmedetomidine for outpatient cataract surgery: a systematic review

Background

Cataract surgery is one of the most common procedures performed worldwide in the elderly. Various medications can provide effective anesthesia and analgesia for cataract surgery, but undesirable side effects limit the utility of each medication or combination of medications. Dexmedetomidine may serve as an anesthesia adjunct for outpatient cataract surgery in the elderly.

Methods

Searches were conducted in Cochrane, Embase, and PubMed for randomized clinical trials investigating the use of dexmedetomidine in adult patients undergoing outpatient, or ambulatory, cataract surgery with sedation and topical or peribulbar block. Ninety-nine publications were identified, of which 15 trials satisfied the inclusion criteria. A total of 914 patients were included in this review. The following data were collected: American Society of Anesthesiologists’ (ASA) physical status and age of study patients; method of blinding and randomization; medication doses and routes of administration; and intraoperative levels of sedation. We also recorded statistically significant differences between dexmedetomidine and other study medications or placebo with respect to the following outcomes: hemodynamic and respiratory parameters; pain; sedation; post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV); discharge from post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) or recovery times; patient satisfaction; surgeon satisfaction; and effects on intraocular pressure (IOP).

Results

Hypotension with or without bradycardia was reported following bolus doses of dexmedetomidine ranging from 0.5–1.0 mcg/kg with or without a continuous dexmedetomidine infusion. Delayed PACU discharge times were associated with the use of dexmedetomidine, but no clear association was identified between delayed recovery and higher levels of intraoperative sedation. Better analgesia and higher patient satisfaction were commonly reported with dexmedetomidine as well as reductions in IOP.

Conclusions

Overall, this review demonstrates better analgesia, higher patient satisfaction, and reduced IOP with dexmedetomidine for outpatient cataract surgery when compared to traditional sedatives, hypnotics, and opioids. These benefits of dexmedetomidine, however, must be weighed against relative cardiovascular depression and delayed PACU discharge or recovery times. Therefore, the utility of dexmedetomidine for outpatient cataract surgery should be considered on a patient-by-patient basis.

Opioid Prescribing Patterns Among American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Members in the Medicare Part D Database

PURPOSE

To assess opioid prescribing patterns among American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) members.

METHODS

An observational, retrospective, cohort study of ASOPRS members' prescribing patterns in the 2013-2016 Medicare Part D Prescriber database. These prescribers were stratified by years in practice, sex, and geography. The ASOPRS member cohort was compared with all ophthalmologists, as a group, and other surgeons.

RESULTS

The authors identified 617 surgeons in the 2017 ASOPRS directory. Members wrote an average of 45 opioid prescriptions/year. Almost half (45%) wrote <10 prescriptions. Those with >10 prescriptions averaged 78 annually. A minority wrote >100 prescriptions per year (14.8%). Overall, opioids comprised 16.5% of all prescriptions written by ASOPRS members. Despite seeing a similar number of beneficiaries (p = 0.20), male members prescribed a greater number (p < 0.05) and a higher rate (p < 0.05) of opioids than female members. Older members had a lower opioid prescription rate (p < 0.0001). Many heavy opioid prescribers practiced in states with high opioid overdose deaths.

CONCLUSIONS

American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery members prescribe moderate amounts of opioids at a rate (16.5%) higher than all of ophthalmology (4%), above the national mean (6.8%), but lower than other surgical services (36.5%). Male gender, younger age, and practice in states with high opioid-related deaths were correlated to number of prescriptions. Prescribing patterns may naturally relate to the type of surgical intervention and population. Further research is warranted to understand opioid prescriptions and their role in the opioid epidemic.

Management of Postoperative Inflammation and Dry Eye After Cataract Surgery

Surgical intervention is the most effective treatment for decreased vision resulting from cataracts. Although the current procedures for cataract surgery are safe and effective, it is well known that several complications can develop after surgery. Postoperative cystoid macular edema (CME) is a well-known complication, and prophylactic medications such as steroids and/or nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs are routinely used for its prevention. Ocular surface abnormalities, such as dry eye, have also been reported to develop after cataract surgery. However, the causative mechanisms for postoperative dry eye have not been definitively determined. At present, there are no prophylactic medications that are commonly used to prevent the development of postoperative dry eye. Although nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs are very effective in reducing the incidence and degree of postoperative CME, it is known that they can cause adverse side effects, including ocular surface abnormalities. Thus, perioperative medications must be carefully selected to improve surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction. Here, we summarize the results of recent studies on postoperative dry eye and CME that can develop after cataract surgery. We suggest appropriate combinations of medications that can be used to minimize these postsurgical complications.

Identification and Description of Reliable Evidence for 2016 American Academy of Ophthalmology Preferred Practice Pattern Guidelines for Cataract in the Adult Eye

Importance

Trustworthy clinical practice guidelines require reliable systematic reviews of the evidence to support recommendations. Since 2016, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) has partnered with Cochrane Eyes and Vision US Satellite to update their guidelines, the Preferred Practice Patterns (PPP).

Objective

To describe experiences and findings related to identifying reliable systematic reviews that support topics likely to be addressed in the 2016 update of the 2011 AAO PPP guidelines on cataract in the adult eye.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Cross-sectional study. Systematic reviews on the management of cataract were searched for in an established database. Each relevant systematic review was mapped to 1 or more of the 24 management categories listed under the Management section of the table of contents of the 2011 AAO PPP guidelines. Data were extracted to determine the reliability of each systematic review using prespecified criteria, and the reliable systematic reviews were examined to find whether they were referenced in the 2016 AAO PPP guidelines. For comparison, we assessed whether the reliable systematic reviews published before February 2010 the last search date of the 2011 AAO PPP guidelines were referenced in the 2011 AAO PPP guidelines. Cochrane Eyes and Vision US Satellite did not provide systematic reviews to the AAO during the development of the 2011 AAO PPP guidelines.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Systematic review reliability was defined by reporting eligibility criteria, performing a comprehensive literature search, assessing methodologic quality of included studies, using appropriate methods for meta-analysis, and basing conclusions on review findings.

Results

From 99 systematic reviews on management of cataract, 46 (46%) were classified as reliable. No evidence that a comprehensive search had been conducted was the most common reason a review was classified as unreliable. All 46 reliable systematic reviews were cited in the 2016 AAO PPP guidelines, and 8 of 15 available reliable reviews (53%) were cited in the 2011 PPP guidelines.

Conclusions and Relevance

The partnership between Cochrane Eyes and Vision US Satellite and the AAO provides the AAO access to an evidence base of relevant and reliable systematic reviews, thereby supporting robust and efficient clinical practice guidelines development to improve the quality of eye care.

Postoperative pain following Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK): a prospective study

PURPOSE

To evaluate postoperative pain following Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK).

METHODS

Seventy-one patients completed perioperatively (day before surgery, day of surgery, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd day after surgery) four different questionnaires (a hospital internal protocol, QUIPS, PainDETECT®, and SF36) regarding their pain and other clinical parameters such as constipation, tiredness, vertigo, sleep disorders, concentration disorders, nausea, and emesis. All standardised questionnaires were evaluated to quantify average pain intensity as well as maximum pain intensity (NRS, 0 [no pain] to 10 [maximal pain], respectively). Analgesic treatment and intraocular pressure (IOP) during the perioperative stay were documented.

RESULTS

Mean average pain intensity was 0.70 ± 1.64 before surgery, 1.97 ± 2.05 on the day of surgery, 1.39 ± 1.68 on day 1, 0.87 ± 1.36 on day 2, and 0.81 ± 1.24 on day 3 after surgery. Maximum pain intensity was 0.65 ± 1.81 before surgery, 3.35 ± 2.98 on the day of surgery, 2.68 ± 2.99 on day 1, 1.49 ± 2.15 on day 2, and 1.26 ± 2.02 on day 3 after surgery. During the first three postoperative days, over 90% of the patients stated no or well tolerable pain. Eighty-three percent had postoperatively no need for analgesics at all. On the first two postoperative days, maximum IOP correlated significantly with reported increased maximum pain intensity (p = 0.043 and p = 0.029, respectively). All patients had very little problems with constipation, tiredness, vertigo, sleep disorder, concentration disorders, nausea, and emesis.

CONCLUSIONS

DMEK is associated with low postoperative pain intensity. Strong pain increase may indicate IOP elevation and should be further investigated and treated.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

German Clinical Trial Register (DRKS00013995).

Cyclodextrin-containing hydrogels as an intraocular lens for sustained drug release

To improve the efficacy of anti-inflammatory factors in patients who undergo cataract surgery, poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate) (p(HEMA-co-MMA)) hydrogels containing β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) (pHEMA/MMA/β-CD) were designed and prepared as intraocular lens (IOLs) biomaterials that could be loaded with and achieve the sustained release of dexamethasone. A series of pHEMA/MMA/β-CD copolymers containing different ratios of β-CD (range, 2.77 to 10.24 wt.%) were obtained using thermal polymerization. The polymers had high transmittance at visible wavelengths and good biocompatibility with mouse connective tissue fibroblasts. Drug loading and release studies demonstrated that introducing β-CD into hydrogels increased loading efficiency and achieved the sustained release of the drug. Administering β-CD via hydrogels increased the equilibrium swelling ratio, elastic modulus and tensile strength. In addition, β-CD increased the hydrophilicity of the hydrogels, resulting in a lower water contact angle and higher cellular adhesion to the hydrogels. In summary, pHEMA/MMA/β-CD hydrogels show great potential as IOL biomaterials that are capable of maintaining the sustained release of anti-inflammatory drugs after cataract surgery.

Association Between Opioid Prescribing Patterns and Abuse in Ophthalmology

Importance

Drug overdoses have become the number 1 cause of mortality in American adults 50 years and younger. Prescription opioid abuse is a growing concern that has garnered widespread attention among policymakers and the general public.

Objective

To determine the opioid prescribing patterns among ophthalmologists and elucidate their role in the prescription opioid abuse epidemic.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this observational cohort study, beneficiaries and their physicians were analyzed using 2013 to 2015 Medicare Part D Prescriber Data. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Medicare Part D Prescriber Public Use Files for 2013, 2014, and 2015 were accessed. Analysis began in June 2017. Data were collected and analyzed regarding the prescribing patterns for opioid drugs (eg, number of prescriptions written including refills, number of days' supply, and prescriber rates) for all participating ophthalmologists.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The mean number of opioid prescriptions written annually by ophthalmologists; prescriber rates compared with all prescriptions written; and geographic distribution of opioid prescriptions written per ophthalmologist.

Results

In 2013, 4167 of 19 615 ophthalmologists were women (21.2%). Consistently, most ophthalmologists (88%-89%) wrote 10 opioid prescriptions or fewer annually. Approximately 1% (0.94%-1.03%) of ophthalmologists wrote more than 100 prescriptions per year. On average, ophthalmologists wrote 7 opioid prescriptions per year (134 290 written annually by 19 638 physicians, on average) with a mean supply of 5 days. The 6 states with the highest volume of opioid prescriptions written annually per ophthalmologist were located in the southern United States.

Conclusions and Relevance

In general, ophthalmologists show discretion in their opioid prescribing patterns. The present opioid abuse epidemic should prompt physicians to consider revisiting their prescribing protocols given the high risk for dependency.

Recovery after cataract surgery

Cataract surgery is the most common ophthalmological surgical procedure, and it is predicted that the number of surgeries will increase significantly in the future. However, little is known about the recovery after surgery. The first aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, severity and duration of pain and other ocular discomfort symptoms experienced after cataract surgery. The other objectives were to identify the factors associated with lower postoperative patient satisfaction and to measure the effect of cataract surgery on patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and visual function in everyday life. The study design was a prospective follow-up study. The course of the recovery and the presence of ocular symptoms were evaluated by interviewing the patients via a questionnaire at 1 day, 1 week, 6 weeks and one year after surgery The visual functioning in everyday life was measured with Visual Functioning Index VF-7 and Catquest-9SF-questionnaires and furthermore the HRQoL was measured with the 15D-instrument before surgery and at 12 months after surgery. The patients returned the questionnaires by mail and were interviewed in the hospital on the day of the surgery. The same patients filled-in all the questionnaires. The patient reports were used to collect the data on medical history. A total of 303 patients were approached at Kuopio University Hospital in 2010-2011 and of these 196 patients were eligible and willing to participate, with postoperative data being available from 186 (95%) patients. A systematic review article was included in the study procedure and it revealed the wide range in the reported incidence of postoperative ocular pain. Some of the identified randomized controlled studies reported no or only minor pain whereas in some studies significant pain or pain lasting for several weeks has been described in more than 50% of the study patients. In the present study setting, pain was reported by 34% during the first postoperative hours and by approximately 10% of patients during the first six weeks after surgery. During the early recovery in the hospital, only a minority of the patients reporting pain were provided with pain medication. The ocular discomfort symptoms such as itchiness, burning, foreign-body sensation and tearing were common both before (54%) and after surgery (38-52%). These symptoms can also be described as painful symptoms and are often difficult to distinguish from ocular pain. The symptoms are also typical of ocular surface disease, and some patients may benefit from the postoperative administration of tear substitutes. The patients reporting postoperative ocular symptoms were less satisfied with the treatment outcome at 12 months after surgery (p = 0.001) compared to the patients who experienced no symptoms. Those patients reporting less disability in visual functioning before surgery were more satisfied than patients with more reported disability. The HRQoL improved significantly after cataract surgery (p = 0.002). However, when compared to an age-and gender-standardized control population, in cataract subjects the HRQoL remained slightly worse both before and at 12 months after surgery.

Review of 306 evisceration surgeries performed between 2005 and 2013

BACKGROUND/AIM

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the reasons for eye evisceration surgeries performed from 2005 to 2013 in our clinic.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The medical records of patients who underwent evisceration surgery over the past 9 years were retrospectively evaluated. Detailed data were reviewed, with a focus on the first precipitating factor for evisceration.

RESULTS

Of the 306 patients who underwent evisceration surgery in the studied period, 111 (36.27%) were female (with a mean age of 41.56 ± 21.38 years) and 195 (63.73%) were male (with a mean age of 37.76 ± 21.92 years). The most common cause of evisceration was ocular trauma (184 patients; 60.1%). Male patients experienced significantly more trauma, while glaucoma was more common in female patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Eye removal is devastating for both patients and their relatives, and its most important and preventable cause is ocular trauma.

Color of intra-ocular lens and cataract type are prognostic determinants of health indices after visual and photoreceptive restoration by surgery

Background: This study compared post-operative quality of life and sleep according to the type of cataract opacity and color of the implanted intra-ocular lens (IOL).

Methods: This is a cohort study and participants were 206 patients (average age 74.1 years) undergoing cataract surgery with the implantation of a clear ultra-violet (UV)-blocking IOL (C) or a yellow blue-light-blocking IOL (Y). Participants were evaluated using the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) before surgery and 2 and 7 months after surgery. Changes in sub-scale scores of VFQ-25 and PSQI were compared.

Results: Sub-scale analyses for improvement after surgery revealed significant differences in ocular pain scores on the VFQ-25 (Y>C; the higher the score, the better the outcome). Furthermore, there were significant differences between the two IOLs in terms of the sleep latency score (C>Y) and sleep disturbances score (C>Y). A posterior sub-capsular cataract was significantly correlated with improvements in ocular pain and sleep latency scores. These effects were successfully represented by the change in scores rather than absolute post-operative scores because individual standard of response may often change after intervention, recognized as a response shift phenomenon in patient-reported outcome study. Regarding seasonal differences, patients who had surgery in summer exhibited relatively better sleep quality than those who had surgery in winter.

Conclusions: Analysis of sub-scales of health indices demonstrated characteristic prognoses for each IOL and cataract type. Cataract surgery may potentially contribute to systemic health in older adults.

Management of mydriasis and pain in cataract and intraocular lens surgery: review of current medications and future directions

The maintenance of mydriasis and the control of postoperative pain and inflammation are critical to the safety and success of cataract and intraocular lens replacement surgery. Appropriate mydriasis is usually achieved by topical and/or intracameral administration of anticholinergic agents, sympathomimetic agents, or both, with the most commonly used being cyclopentolate, tropicamide, and phenylephrine. Ocular inflammation is common after cataract surgery. Topical steroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are widely used because they have been proved effective to control postsurgical inflammation and decrease pain. Topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have also been shown to help maintain dilation. However, use of multiple preoperative drops for pupil dilation, inflammation, and pain control have been shown to be time consuming, resulting in delays to the operating room, and they cause dissatisfaction among perioperative personnel; their use can also be associated with systemic side effects. Therefore, ophthalmologists have been in search of new options to streamline this process. This article will review the current medications commonly used for intraoperative mydriasis, as well as pain and inflammation control. In addition, a new combination of ketorolac, an anti-inflammatory agent, and phenylephrine, a mydriatic agent has recently been designed to maintain intraoperative mydriasis and to reduce postoperative pain and irritation from intraocular lens replacement surgery. Two Phase III clinical trials evaluating this combination have demonstrated statistically significant differences when compared to placebo in maintaining intraoperative mydriasis (P<0.00001) and in reducing pain in the early postoperative period (P=0.0002). This medication may be of benefit for use in cataract and lens replacement surgery in the near future.

The efficacy of bromfenac ophthalmic solution 0.07% dosed once daily in achieving zero-to-trace anterior chamber cell severity following cataract surgery

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy of bromfenac ophthalmic solution 0.07% dosed once daily in achieving zero-to-trace (0–5 cells) anterior chamber cells, following cataract surgery with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation.

Methods

The study designed employed two Phase III, double-masked, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trials of 440 subjects, randomized to either bromfenac ophthalmic solution 0.07% (n=222) or placebo (n=218). Subjects self-dosed once daily, beginning 1 day before undergoing cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation (day –1) and again on the day of surgery (day 0) and for 14 days postoperatively. Follow-up was on days 1, 3, 8, and 15. The outcome measures included the percentage of subjects with zero-to-trace anterior chamber cells at each visit, as determined by the percentage of subjects with ≤5 anterior chamber cells, overall anterior chamber cell grades, and summed ocular inflammation score (SOIS) (combined anterior chamber cell and flare scores).

Results

The proportion of subjects with zero-to-trace anterior chamber cells was significantly higher in the bromfenac 0.07% group compared with the placebo group as early as day 3 (P=0.0007), continued at day 8 (P<0.0001), and through day 15 (P<0.0001). At day 15, 80.2% of subjects in the bromfenac 0.07% group achieved zero-to-trace anterior chamber cells compared with 47.2% of subjects who did so in the placebo group. The overall anterior chamber cell scores were significantly lower in the bromfenac 0.07% group compared with the placebo group at days 3, 8, and 15 (P<0.0001 at each visit). The SOIS were also significantly lower in the bromfenac group compared with the placebo group at days 3, 8, and 15 (P<0.0001 at each visit).

Conclusion

Bromfenac ophthalmic solution 0.07%, dosed once daily was clinically effective in achieving zero-to-trace anterior chamber cell severity after cataract surgery and was superior to placebo in all anterior chamber cell severity and inflammation outcome measures.

A prospective study on postoperative pain after cataract surgery

Purpose

To evaluate postoperative pain and early recovery in cataract patients.

Patients and methods

A total of 201 patients who underwent elective first eye cataract extraction surgery were enrolled, and 196 were included in the final analysis. The study design was a single-center, prospective, follow-up study in a tertiary hospital in eastern Finland. Postoperative pain was evaluated with the Brief Pain Inventory at four time points: at baseline, and at 24 hours, 1 week, and 6 weeks postsurgery.

Results

Postoperative pain was relatively common during the first hours after surgery, as it was reported by 67 (34%) patients. After hospital discharge, the prevalence decreased; at 24 hours, 1 week, and 6 weeks, 18 (10%), 15 (9%) and 12 (7%) patients reported having ocular pain, respectively. Most patients with eye pain reported significant pain, with a score of ≥4 on a pain scale of 0–10, but few had taken analgesics for eye pain. Those who had used analgesics rated the analgesic efficacy of paracetamol and ibuprofen as good or excellent. Other ocular irritation symptoms were common after surgery; as a new postoperative symptom, foreign-body sensation was reported by 40 patients (22%), light sensitivity by 29 (16%), burning by 15 (8%), and itching by 15 (8%).

Conclusion

Moderate or severe postoperative pain was relatively common after cataract surgery. Thus, all patients undergoing cataract surgery should be provided appropriate counseling on pain and pain management after surgery.