JCRS HIGHLIGHTS

BIOMETRY UPGRADE FOR DENSE CATARACTS

Optical low-coherence reflectometry (OLCR) allows simultaneous measurement of corneal thickness, true anterior chamber depth, lens thickness, and axial length. However, OLCR does not do well measuring axial length of eyes with dense cataracts and posterior subcapsular cataracts. A new software package could go a long way to improve the situation, report investigators. German and US researchers collected data from two sites where the new Dense Cataract Measurement mode for the OLCR optical biometer (Lenstar LS 900) had been implemented. An analysis of 4,791 eyes found that axial length measurement was possible using the standard algorithm in 94.4 per cent of cases. The use of the new mode allowed for measurement of an additional 4.0 per cent of cases, a statistically significant increase. The researchers believe that further and continuous improvements in the software will improve measurement of difficult eyes with dense cataract and other media opacities. H Shammas et al, JCRS, “New mode for measuring axial length with an optical low-coherence reflectometer in eyes with dense cataract”, Volume 41, Issue 7, 1365–1369.

FLACS VS PHACO

Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) yielded faster visual recovery, less deviation from the target refraction, and earlier stabilisation of refraction compared with conventional phacoemulsification cataract surgery in a recent prospective randomised intra-individual cohort study. One hundred eyes of 100 patients had FLACS while the fellow eyes had conventional phacoemulsification. Six months postoperatively, 92 per cent of eyes in the femtosecond laser-assisted group and 71 per cent of eyes in the conventional group were within ±0.50D of the target refractive outcome, and 100 per cent in both groups were within ±1.00D. I Conrad-Hengerer et al, JCRS, “Comparison of visual recovery and refractive stability between femtosecond laser–assisted cataract surgery and standard phacoemulsification: Six-month follow-up”, Volume 41, Issue 7, 1356–1364.

FIBRIN GLUE VS EPITHELIAL INGROWTH

Epithelial ingrowth continues to be a complication of LASIK. US researchers reviewed 39 cases with a history of LASIK which had epithelial ingrowth removal with mechanical debridement and fibrin glue application. Following that treatment, 31 eyes (79.5 per cent) had no recurrence of ingrowth at the final follow-up and five eyes (12.8 per cent) had mild epithelial ingrowth not requiring removal. Three eyes required subsequent removal and fibrin application. At the three-month follow-up visit, 76.9 per cent of eyes achieved 20/25 or better corrected distance visual acuity. Dr Hardten et al, JCRS, “Fibrin adhesive in conjunction with epithelial ingrowth removal after laser in situ keratomileusis: Long-term results”, Volume 41, Issue 7, 1400–1405.