Immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery: a review of current practice and literature

Abstract

Immediate Sequential Bilateral Cataract Surgery (ISBCS) is a type of cataract surgery in which the eyes of patients with bilateral cataracts are operated on in the same setting, in contrast to the current standard of care, Delayed Sequential Bilateral Cataract Surgery (DSBCS), where only one eye is operated on and followed by the other eye at a later date. ISBCS carries benefits such as cost-efficiency and a lower risk of general anesthesia complications in certain patient populations, but also includes disadvantages such as the potential of developing bilateral endophthalmitis, toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS) and unpredictable refractive outcomes. The goal of this article is to provide a review of the current knowledge and literature about ISBSC, mainly reviewing current guidelines, criteria for patient selection, advantages, disadvantages, complications, and where it stands in comparison to the current standard of care.