Temperature-controlled porcine eye holder for observing intraocular temperature during cataract surgery

Abstract

During cataract surgery, the intraocular temperature changes when irrigating low-temperature fluid and ophthalmic viscosurgical devices (OVDs) are inserted in the anterior chamber, and such a temperature variation affects the unfolding of the intraocular lens (IOL). A porcine eye holder was developed for simulating temperature conditions in clinical surgery by maintaining the ocular temperature close to the body temperature. An aluminum holder was designed to fit porcine eyes and maintain the ocular temperature at approximately 36 °C, while surgery was performed at a room temperature of 20 °C. Intraocular temperature was monitored using a thermocouple sensor placed close to the posterior capsule in the vitreous cavity. Temperatures and microscopic image of the anterior chamber were simultaneously recorded. With the use of the eye holder system, the intraocular temperature unstable during surgery was observed, and there were significant reductions during hydrodissection, irrigation and aspiration, OVD insertion in the capsule, and OVD removal after IOL implantation.