Efficacy and Safety of an Intracameral Combination of Two Mydriatics and an Anesthetic for Phacoemulsification in Complicated Patients

Mydriasis Stability During Cataract Surgery in Patients with Systemic Comorbidities Using a Standardised Combination of Intracameral Mydriatics and Anaesthetic

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate mydriasis stability during cataract surgery in patients with systemic comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus (DM) and pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXF) after a standardised combination of intracameral mydriatics and anaesthetic (SCIMA). Stable mydriasis is crucial for safe and effective phacoemulsification.

METHODS

Patients were included if they achieved pupil dilation ≥6.0 mm during the qualifying visit. A total of 103 patients were enrolled, divided into three groups: cataract with diabetes (C + DM group, n = 35), cataract with PXF (C + PXF group, n = 32), and cataract without those comorbidities (C group, n = 36). SCIMA was administered, and pupil diameters were measured at key surgical stages. Stability was defined as a pupil diameter of ≥6.0 mm without additional pharmacological intervention and no significant change in its diameter (≥3.0 mm).

RESULTS

Stable mydriasis was achieved in 90.3% of patients: 97.1% in the C + DM group, 90.6% in the C + PXF group, and 83.3% in the C group, with no statistically significant differences (p = 0.14).

CONCLUSIONS

SCIMA effectively maintains mydriasis stability during cataract surgery, even in patients with systemic comorbidities, ensuring greater surgical safety.

Cardiovascular effects of diluted intracameral combination of 0.02% tropicamide, 0.31% phenylephrine, and 1% lidocaine during phacoemulsification to manage intraoperative miosis

PURPOSE

Intracameral mydriatic agents (ICMAs) are replacing the conventional method of topical mydriasis for its fast action and no need for repeated instillation before cataract surgery. Its application for the management of intraoperative miosis needs to be studied with different doses of mydriatic agent. The objective of the study is to study cardiovascular effects of diluted intracameral combination of 0.02% tropicamide, 0.31% phenylephrine, and 1% lidocaine during phacoemulsification to manage intraoperative miosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was conducted at Mojiram Lions Eye Hospital Akbarpur Majra village, Palla Bakhtawarpur Road, Delhi, during the year 2021-2022 after taking approval from the Ethical Committee of the hospital. Patients undergoing cataract surgery who were not dilated adequately during the preoperative period or developed intraoperative miosis were managed by injecting diluted intracameral combination of 0.02% tropicamide, 0.31% phenylephrine, and 1% lidocaine (phenocaine plus). 0.5 ml of phenocaine plus was diluted with 1.5 ml of ringer lactate solution and 0.50 ml of this solution was injected intracameral and its effect on pulse rate, blood pressure (BP), and oxygen saturation were monitored continuously on pulse oximeter.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant effect of diluted ICMA (Phenocaine Plus) on diastolic BP and oxygen saturation. However, systolic BP showed a little change from mean of 133.78 (standard deviation [SD] =16.04) mmHg to 133.92 (SD = 15.33) mmHg which was statistically significant but clinically not significant. Pulse rate increased slightly from mean 76.46 per minutes (SD = 15.14) to 79.40 (SD = 14.95) at 10 s and 76.49 (SD = 15.15) at 60 s. The difference was again statistically significant but clinically insignificant.

CONCLUSION

Low concentration of intracameral combination of 0.02% tropicamide, 0.31% phenylephrine, and 1% lidocaine is a very safe and effective method for the management of intraoperative miosis.

Intracameral phenylephrine for surgical mydriasis and intraoperative floppy-iris syndrome: systemic adverse effects and optimal dose

Phenylephrine, a potent sympathomimetic, induces mydriasis via iris dilator muscle contraction. Intracameral (IC) phenylephrine has been successfully used in cataract surgery for initial mydriasis, maintaining mydriasis, and management of intraoperative floppy-iris syndrome. Serious systemic adverse events (mainly cardiovascular) have been described with topical phenylephrine drops, but we found very little evidence of such adverse events associated with IC phenylephrine use. However, we suspect under-reporting of such adverse events, as they may instead be ascribed to anxiety, positioning, anesthesia, etc. Optimal dosage/concentrations for IC phenylephrine use in different purposes have not been fully studied. In the absence of robust evidence, we suggest that lower but effective IC phenylephrine concentrations are used: a lower concentration (0.31%), in conjunction with an anticholinergic and lidocaine, may be used for initial mydriasis. For management of intraoperative floppy-iris syndrome, 0.31% may be effective, though a higher concentration (1% to 1.25%) may be required.

Effectiveness of a Standardized Combination of Intracameral Mydriatics and Anaesthetic on Mydriasis during Cataract Surgery with Coexisting Diseases

PURPOSE

To examine the effectiveness of a standardized combination of intracameral mydriatics and anesthetic (SCIMA) on mydriasis in patients with coexisting diseases such as diabetes mellitus (DM) and pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXF) during phacoemulsification.

METHODS

Patients with cataract were included in the study if they achieved pupil dilation diameter ≥ 6.0 mm after the administration of mydriatic eyedrops (ME) during the first visit (V1). During the second visit (V2), pupil size measurements were obtained for phacoemulsification surgery with SCIMA. Effective mydriasis was defined as a pupil diameter ≥ 6.0 mm just prior to capsulorhexis without the use of additional pupil dilating agents. The measurements after ME administration during V1 and after SCIMA use during V2 were compared.

RESULTS

103 patients (103 eyes) were divided into 3 groups: cataract and DM (n = 35), cataract and PXF (n = 32), and cataract without DM or PXF (n = 36). SCIMA administration allowed the achievement of effective mydriasis (≥6.0 mm) in all groups (n = 103; 100%). Mydriasis was significantly larger (p ≤ 0.001) after ME (7.3 mm) than after SCIMA (6.8 mm) administration.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with cataract and such comorbidities as DM or PXF are likely to achieve effective pharmacological mydriasis during cataract phacoemulsification after SCIMA application. Mydriasis after ME is slower and larger, while SCIMA is faster.