Dehiscence of radial keratotomy incision during phacoemulsification

A pinhole implant to correct postoperative residual refractive error in an RK cataract patient

Purpose

To report the clinical outcomes after implantation of a pinhole supplementary implant (Xtrafocus, Morcher GmbH, Stuttgart, Germany) to correct fluctuating residual refraction after cataract surgery in a patient with a history of radial keratotomy (RK).

Observations

A 62-year-old patient who had radial keratotomy 22 years earlier, underwent uneventful bilateral cataract surgery using the ASCRS IOL-Calculator for post-RK. Postoperatively, the patient showed fluctuating subjective manifest refraction (MR) on both eyes. To correct the large fluctuating residual refractive error and subjectively worse visual acuity, Xtrafocus IOL was implanted in the right eye. One week later, the uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) was already 0.1 logMAR and the patient stated to have stable vision. Three months after Xtrafocus implantation, the UDVA was −0.04 logMAR which did not improve with MR and the patient expressed high satisfaction, good subjective binocular contrast sensitivity, comparable visual field outcomes, and an elongated depth of focus.

Conclusions and Importance

The pinhole sulcus implant not only helped eliminate the fluctuation in residual refraction after cataract surgery, but also provided an elongated depth of focus without greatly affecting the visual field. The supplementary implantation of the Xtrafocus lens can offer an effective option for the treatment of instable refractive errors after cataract surgery in patients with a history of corneal surgery.

Effects and risks of 3.2-mm transparent corneal incision phacoemulsification for cataract after radial keratotomy

Objective

This study was performed to analyze the visual outcomes and complications of phacoemulsification using a 3.2-mm transparent corneal incision in eyes with cataract after radial keratotomy (RK).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed cases of lens phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation after RK. The main measurement results were postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), endothelial cell density, and complications.

Results

Overall, 19 eyes of 12 patients with 8 (n = 6), 12 (n = 7), and 16 (n = 6) RK cuts were included in the study. Intraoperative wound dehiscence occurred in two eyes with 16 RK cuts. Successful phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation was performed in all eyes. The mean BCVA at the last follow-up (0.19 ± 0.13 LogMAR) was significantly better than the preoperative BCVA (0.72 ± 0.54 LogMAR). However, there was a significant reduction in the corneal endothelial cell density after surgery (2384.0 ± 833.4/mm² vs. 1716.95 ± 906.79/mm²).

Conclusions

Surgeons should be aware of the risk of wound dehiscence in patients who undergo phacoemulsification after RK. A small transparent corneal incision or scleral tunnel incision is recommended.

Extended depth of focus lens implantation after radial keratotomy

Purpose

To identify the visual performance of radial keratotomy (RK) patients that have undergone cataract surgery with implantation of an extended depth of focus (EDOF) intraocular lens (IOL).

Design

Retrospective chart review with questionnaire.

Methods

Medical charts of patients with a history of RK that had undergone phacoemulsification with implantation of the Tecnis Symfony IOL (J&J Vision) were reviewed. Data collected included preoperative demographics, number of RK incisions, pupil size, and preoperative visual acuity and manifest refraction. Primary outcome measures of the study included postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity (UCVA) and manifest refraction spherical equivalent (SE) at each follow-up visit. Secondary outcomes included results from a telephone questionnaire assessing visual performance and satisfaction.

Results

Twenty-four eyes of 12 patients were included. UCVA improved from an average Snellen equivalent 20/73 preoperatively to 20/33 at an average final follow-up of 6 months (P=0.0011), while average manifest SE improved from +1.68 D to −0.18 D (P<0.0001). At final follow-up, 15 of 24 eyes (62.5%) were at or within 0.5 D of target refraction, while 20 of 24 eyes (83.3%) were at or within 1.0 D. In total, 79% of eyes (19 of 24) had UCVA of 20/40 or better at distance. In the survey, 78% of patients reported satisfaction with their vision after surgery and 44% of patients reported being spectacle free for all tasks.

Conclusions

An EDOF lens implant can produce good visual outcomes and satisfaction in patients with a history of RK.

Outcomes of Phacoemulsification Using Different Size of Clear Corneal Incision in Eyes with Previous Radial Keratotomy

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate visual outcomes and complications after phacoemulsification in eyes with cataract and previous radial keratotomy (RK) cuts using different sizes of clear corneal incisions.

METHODS

The study was a retrospective study. Thirty eyes with cataract and previous RK underwent phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Among them 7 eyes had 8 RK cuts, 13 eyes had 12 RK cuts, and 10 eyes had 16 RK cuts. Phacoemulsification and IOL implantation were performed through a 2.0-3.2 mm clear corneal incision by a single surgeon. In the 8 RK cuts group, 3.2 mm clear corneal incisions were used in 4 eyes, and 3.0 mm clear corneal incisions were used in 3 eyes. In the 12 RK cuts group, 3.2 mm clear corneal incisions were used in 6 eyes, and 2.2 mm clear corneal incisions were used in 7 eyes. In the 16 RK cuts group, 3.2 mm clear corneal incisions were used in 5 eyes, and 2.0 mm clear corneal incisions were used in 5 eyes. Patients were followed up 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years postoperatively and were examined for the dehiscence of RK cuts during or after the surgery, post-operative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), corneal astigmatism, corneal endothelial cell density and complications.

RESULTS

Successful phacoemulsification with IOL implantation was performed in all eyes. No wound dehiscence was noted in any eyes with 8 or 12 RK cuts. Wound dehiscence was noted in 2 eyes with 16 RK cuts. The dehiscence of RK cuts was closed successfully by injecting an air bubble with or without viscoelastic agent into the anterior chamber at the end of surgery. During the follow-up, the cuts were well apposed in all eyes, and no new dehiscence of RK cuts was noted. At the last follow-up, mean BCVA (0.2 ± 0.18 logMAR) was better than preoperative BCVA(0.45±0.19 logMAR) (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the long-term preoperative and postoperative mean corneal astigmatism (P = 0.3). However, there was a significant reduction in postoperative corneal endothelial cell density (1866.5±773.9 / mm2 vs 2421.7±655.7 / mm2) (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Phacoemulsification and IOL implantation with clear corneal incisions in eyes with previous RK were associated with good surgical outcomes. Wound dehiscence was not specificaly related to the size of clear corneal incision during phacoemulsification in these eyes.

Ruptured globe 20 years after radial and transverse keratotomy

To report a case of corneal rupture due to blunt trauma occurring 20 years after radial keratotomy (RK) and transverse keratotomy. A 57-year-old woman sustained direct blunt trauma to her right eye. Ocular examination revealed a ruptured globe involving two of the eight RK incisions connected together across the visual axis with iris incarceration in the wound. The transverse keratotomy scars remained intact. The patient underwent primary corneal wound repair and iris repositioning. The postoperative period was uneventful. The patient had a visual acuity of counting fingers at 1 m and is awaiting penetrating keratoplasty. Traumatic rupture of RK incisions can still occur after 20 years. Patients having undergone RK many years before should be warned of a possible life-long risk of traumatic rupture. RK scars appear to be more vulnerable to rupture than astigmatic keratotomy scars.