Immediate Postoperative Intraocular Pressure Adjustment Reduces Risk of Cystoid Macular Edema after Uncomplicated Micro Incision Coaxial Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery

Changes in Macular Thickness after Cataract Surgery in Patients with Open Angle Glaucoma

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to examine the changes in IOP, total macular and RNFL, ganglion cell layer (GCL) thickness, and aqueous humour flare in open angle glaucoma (OAG) patients before and 6 months after cataract surgery.

METHODS

This was a prospective observational case-control age- and gender-matched study. Groups: 40 subjects in a controlled OAG (OAG_c) group, 20 subjects in an uncontrolled OAG (OAG_u) group, and 60 control group subjects.

EXAMINATION

complete ophthalmic evaluation, IOP measurement, anterior and posterior segment Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), and laser flare photometry before and 6 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

Six months postoperatively IOP decreased in all groups. An increase in macular thickness was found postoperatively in all groups. Preoperative aqueous humour flare was higher in the OAG_c group than in the control group. After cataract surgery, aqueous humour flare was higher in the control group compared to the preoperative result.

CONCLUSIONS

Changes in IOP following cataract surgery were strongly negatively correlated with preoperative IOP. An increase in macular thickness was observed 6 months postoperatively in all groups. Aqueous humour flare did not differ in OAG_c and OAG_u groups pre- and postoperatively but significantly increased in the control group postoperatively.

Toll-like receptor 3 gene regulates cataract-related mechanisms via the Jagged-1/Notch signaling pathway

Epithelial-melancholy transition (EMT) is the main cause of organ fibrosis and a common pathogenetic mechanism in most cataracts. This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanism of Toll-like receptor (TLR)-3 in the occurrence and development of post-cataract EMT and to provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of posterior capsule opacification (PCO). In the presence or absence of TLR3, the human lens epithelial cell (LEC) line, SRA01/04, was treated with the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β2. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and Transwell assays were used to analyze the cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. The expression levels of proteins and RNAs were detected by western blotting and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) experiments. Functional gain and loss studies showed that TLR3 regulates the proliferation, migration, and invasion of LECs and EMT induced by TGF-β2. Moreover, TLR3 regulates the expression of Jagged-1, Notch-1, and Notch-3 These findings indicate that TLR3 prevents the progression of lens fibrosis by targeting the Jagged-1/Notch signaling pathway to regulate the proliferation, migration, and invasion of LECs, and TGF-β2-induced EMT. Therefore, the TLR3-Jagged-1/Notch signaling axis may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of fibrotic cataracts.

Effect of microincisional cataract surgery on inflammatory indicators in tears and corneal endothelial cells in cataract patients

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the effect of microincisional cataract surgery on inflammation in tears and corneal endothelial cells in cataract patients.

METHODS

A total of 103 patients with cataracts in our hospital were enrolled and randomly divided into group A (n=52) and group B (n=51) by a random double-blind lottery. Group A received 1.8 mm coaxial microincision cataract surgery (C-MICS) while group B received 3.0 mm C-MICS, and the efficacy was compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Average ultrasound energy (AVG), accumulative phaco time (APT), and effective phaco time (EPT) did not differ between groups (P > 0.05). Group A exhibited higher interleukin-2 (IL-2) levels at 5 days postoperatively and lower interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and tumor necrosis factor-β1 (TNF-β1) levels than group B (P < 0.05). The density of corneal endothelial cells, coefficient of variation, and percentage of hexagonal cells showed no significant difference in both groups at 5 days postoperatively (P > 0.05). Group A had higher visual acuity and lower visual acuity loss, visual fatigue, foreign body sensation, tingling, and photophobia scores than group B at 7, 14, and 28 days postoperatively (P < 0.05). The tear film break-up time (TBUT) in group A was longer than that in group B at 7, 14, and 28 days postoperatively, and the tear secretion length (in mm) on the strip in group A was longer than that in group B at 14 and 28 days postoperatively (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Compared with other types of similar surgery, C-MICS can significantly control inflammation levels, with less effect on corneal endothelial cells, improve postoperative visual acuity, delay tear film break-up, increase tear secretion, and improve dry eye syndrome.

Is Palpation Sufficient for Estimation of IOP Immediately Following Cataract Surgery?

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of standard palpation techniques and Barraquer tonometry relative to Tono-Pen for measurement of postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) immediately following routine micro-incision cataract surgery (MICS). We conducted a prospective comparative analysis of postoperative IOP immediately after MICS in a single academic outpatient surgery center. A random block of 166 eyes that underwent MICS at our institution was selected for inclusion. Exclusion criteria consisted of any complications including posterior capsule rupture. IOP was measured immediately postoperatively, first with palpation or a Barraquer tonometer, then with a Tono-Pen handheld applanation tonometer. Measurements obtained by each method were compared. The mean difference between IOP measurements obtained by palpation and Tono-Pen was 10 mmHg, 95% confidence interval (CI; 8, 12); whereas the mean difference between IOP measurements obtained by Barraquer tonometer and Tono-Pen was 2 mmHg, 95% CI (1, 3). IOP measurements acquired via palpation differed from their corresponding Tono-Pen measurements by > 5 mmHg in 48.0% of cases compared to only 5.9% of measurements acquired using a Barraquer tonometer. Spearman correlation coefficient for measurements obtained by standard palpation and Tono-Pen was r = 0.397 (p < 0.01) compared to r = 0.774 (p < 0.01) for those obtained by Barraquer tonometer and Tono-Pen. In conclusion, palpation is not an accurate method for estimating IOP immediately after cataract surgery compared to Tono-Pen. Appropriate measurement and adjustment of IOP at the end of cataract surgery may decrease complications such as cystoid macular edema. In settings where a Tono-Pen is not readily available, Barraquer tonometry may serve as a reasonable and cost-effective alternative.

Early postoperative intraocular pressure elevation following cataract surgery

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of this review was to assess the risk factors and course of postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) increase in order to determine the optimal the treatment.

RECENT FINDINGS

Early postoperative IOP elevation following cataract surgery is a frequent adverse event, and might represent 88% early postoperative complications. The risk factors for IOP elevation following phacoemulsification cataract surgery include residual viscoelastic material, resident performed surgery, glaucoma, pseudoexfoliation syndrome, axial length over 25 mm, tamsulosin intake, topical steroid application in steroid responders. A day-1 postoperative follow-up might be questioned, even in glaucoma patients, as in IOP spikes the topmost IOP elevation occurs 3-4 h postoperatively.

SUMMARY

Several IOP-lowering agents have been evaluated, but none has completely prevented the occurrence of IOP spikes. We recommend applying a combination of dorzolamide/timolol and brinzolamide topically in high-risk patients, particularly with preexisting optic nerve damage. Corticosteroid cessation usually results in a reduction of the IOP to normal levels in steroid responders. Additional studies are required to assess the optimal treatment, especially in glaucoma patients.