Small Incision Cataract Surgery Research Articles

Commentary: Evaluating affordability, cost-effectiveness, cost-utility, health economics, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of manual small-incision cataract surgery - The need of the hour.

Commentary: Evaluating affordability, cost-effectiveness, cost-utility, health economics, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of manual small-incision cataract surgery - The need of the hour.

Commentary: Changing trends and preferred surgeons' practice for nucleus delivery in manual small-incision cataract surgery-Haven't they changed?

Commentary: Changing trends and preferred surgeons' practice for nucleus delivery in manual small-incision cataract surgery-Haven't they changed?

Customized incision cataract surgery: Astigmatism modulation techniques in manual small-incision cataract surgery.

Advanced instrumentation and intraocular lenses (IOL) allow great refractive and visual outcome control to permit excellent correction of refractive aberrations. Residual astigmatism can be modified to provide depth of focus using an appropriate incision in the steepest meridian in manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS). The authors describe the nomogram for surgically correcting astigmatism (SCA). This technique can handle preoperative astigmatism of about 2.25 DCyl with the standard incisions-straight incision of 5, 6, and 7 mm in length, the minimally curved frown incision, the frown incision, the frown incision with an accentuated frown, and the U incision placed on the steep axis in the superior or the temporal quadrant depending on the axis of pre-operative astigmatism.

Fish hook technique for nucleus management in manual small-incision cataract surgery: An Overview.

Manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS) preserves its utility as a cost-effective and efficient strategy for mitigating cataract-associated blindness. Numerous techniques of nucleus delivery in MSICS have been described in the literature. The fish hook technique of nucleus extraction was advocated in 1997 and has been popular for high-volume surgery in limited pockets of the world. This article describes in detail the steps involved in the construction of a fish hook, tips of nucleus extraction with the help of a fish hook, and the pros and cons of fish hook-based MSICS through text, diagram, and video supplement.

Commentary: Endoexpression technique of nucleus delivery in manual small-incision cataract surgery.

Commentary: Endoexpression technique of nucleus delivery in manual small-incision cataract surgery.

Manual small-incision cataract surgery and glaucoma - A dilemma of the duo.

Both cataract and glaucoma significantly affect the quality of life of an individual and they are often found to coexist, either primarily or secondary to one another. Clear-cut guidelines are not available for this subgroup of coexistent morbidities. Through this article, we attempt to discuss the risks and benefits of staged and combined surgery, their short- and long-term effects on the intraocular pressure and pre and postoperative management. The indication and type of surgery will depend on the type, severity and control of glaucoma, and the clinical significance of cataract; and the surgical outcome on the surgical technique used, site of surgery, use of anti-fibrotic agents, and most importantly, the surgeon's skill and experience.

Commentary: Modulation of the incision size for the correction of astigmatism in manual small-incision cataract surgery.

Commentary: Modulation of the incision size for the correction of astigmatism in manual small-incision cataract surgery.

Assessment of a high-fidelity, virtual reality-based, manual small-incision cataract surgery simulator: A face and content validity study.

To establish the face and content validity of the HelpMeSee Eye Surgery Simulator - a virtual reality-based cataract surgery simulator for manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS). The face and content validity were assessed on the sclero-corneal tunnel construction course. A questionnaire with 11 questions focused on the visual realism, with resemblance to real life surgery, and the training value of the simulator was developed. Thirty-five experienced MSICS surgeons participated in the study. Responses were recorded using a seven-point scoring system. Overall, 74.3% (26/35) of the respondents agreed that the overall visual representation of the eye and the instruments in the simulator were realistic. The task of injecting a visco-elastic through the paracentesis was reported to be the most visually realistic task with a mean score of 5.78 (SD: 1.09; range: 2-7). With regard to content validity, 77.1% (27/35) of the subjects felt agreed that the errors and complications represented throughout the entire tunnel construction module were similar to those encountered in real life; the task of entering the anterior chamber with the keratome had a mean score of 5.54 (SD: 0.98; range 1-7), being rated the highest in that aspect. Overall, 94.3% (33/35) of the subjects agreed that the simulator would be useful in developing hand-eye co-ordination. A similar number of 94.3% (33/35) agreed that based on their experience, they would recommend cataract surgical training on this simulator. The results suggest that the HelpMeSee Eye Surgery Simulator appears to have sufficient face and content validity for cataract surgical training.

One step beyond tomorrow; Ranjan manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS) marker - Welcome to the topical, flapless and astigmatism-free MSICS era.

The prevalence of blindness in India is 14.9 per 1000. Cataract causes 80% of this blindness. Most of these blinds are in the rural areas while the surgical service delivery channels are concentrated in the urban areas. This situation has many social impacts like loss of productivity, breakdown of interpersonal relationships, depressive manifestations, loss of self-esteem, and isolated humiliating life. Manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS; also SICS) is a low-cost, small-incision, high-valued cataract surgery that is principally employed in the developing world. In poor settings, MSICS also has several distinct advantages over phacoemulsification, including shorter operative time, less need for technology, and lower cost. Ranjan MSICS Marker is a tool which enables MSICS to be done under topical anesthesia easily with more precise and safe incision making along with more control on surgery induced astigmatism.

Commentary: Changing era of modern cataract surgery - The role of virtual reality-based simulators in manual small-incision cataract surgery training modules.

Commentary: Changing era of modern cataract surgery - The role of virtual reality-based simulators in manual small-incision cataract surgery training modules.

Novel tunnel staining technique to reduce premature entry in manual small-incision cataract surgery.

Mastering manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS) for beginner surgeons is difficult. In the initial days of residency or training, surgeons struggle to make a proper scleral tunnel and keratome entry. It commonly results in premature entry and iris prolapse. Most of the literature has shed light on premature entry during tunnel construction by a crescent blade, whereas a significant majority of iris prolapse happens due to improper keratome entry. This novel trypan blue dye-assisted tunnel staining (TBTS) technique helps in proper tunnel demarcation which can reduce the incidence of premature entry with a keratome.

Closed chamber manual phacofragmentation in manual small-incision cataract surgery.

Manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS) has existed as an alternative to conventional phacoemulsification since its inception. The size of the incision has been becoming smaller in MSICS to reduce the surgically induced astigmatism. Smaller incisions go hand in hand with nucleus debulking and fragmenting techniques which have been practiced over almost four decades. Such techniques have a learning curve and require meticulous execution. The authors describe a technique to achieve nucleus bisection or trisection or debulking in a closed anterior chamber. This technique has been in use for a long time; it has shown excellent results and has a shorter learning curve. Since it is done in a closed chamber, the risk to the corneal endothelium is minimized as the anterior chamber remains deep throughout the procedure. Sudden escape of the viscoelastic and shallowing of the chamber are prevented, and the corneal endothelium is well protected. It uses iris as support and reference. The specially designed chopper is an inexpensive addition to the instruments. Fragmentation is achieved in the proximal half of the chamber where control over instruments is maximum. Pristine clear cornea on day 1 is the rule rather than the exception with this technique. This is a safe and repeatable technique for phacofragmentation in cataract extraction.

State of the nation survey on cataract surgery in India.

To study the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the ophthalmologists in India regarding cataract extraction practices. A prospective, online, descriptive study was conducted from January 2022 to April 2022 using a self-developed validated questionnaire attached which was administered through a generated link. The mean age of these 153 respondents was 47.02 (SD = 11.53) years with a male preponderance (70.59%). The majority (52.9%) had completed a fellowship after their post-graduation, and 56.20% provided sub-specialty services. Comprehensive ophthalmology (69.93%) and anterior segment (50.32%) practice were the most popular. Although 76.47% of respondents used a mix of techniques, 11.11% surgeons used only phaco-emulsification and 9.8% used only manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS) as the lone cataract treatment modality. Roughly 38% felt that outcomes were comparable for phaco-emulsification and MSICS, whereas about 44% opined that the outcomes of phaco-emulsification were better. MSICS outcomes were reported to be better by approximately 15%. The frown incision (53.59%), the straight incision (19.60%), and the straight incision with back cuts (10.45%) were popular. The majority (71.24%) of the respondents were willing to train fellow ophthalmologists and youngsters in MSICS. Standalone practices and family practices (42.48%), private eye institutes (10.45%), medical colleges (12.41%), and government non-teaching hospitals (11.11%) were the major service providers. 4% were working in rural hinterland. The majority of the surgeons use a mix of cataract extraction operative techniques. A large, willing talent pool of manual small-incision cataract surgeons exists. India can be a global hub for MSICS delivery and training.

Correction of pre-existing astigmatism by on-axis incision size modulation in manual small-incision cataract surgery.

To study the effect of wound size modulation on pre-existing astigmatism by on-axis placement of incision in manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS). In this prospective interventional study conducted at a tertiary care centre, 40 eyes of 40 consecutive senile cataract patients with 1.00-3.00 D corneal astigmatism were enrolled for the study. MSICS by modified Blumenthal's technique was performed through 6.0, 6.5, and 7.0 mm on-axis incision in 1.0-1.49 D (group A), 1.50-1.99 D (group B), and 2.00-3.00 D (group C) astigmatism, respectively. Surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) was calculated by vector analysis and double angle plots (DAP) at 12 weeks postoperatively. There were 22 males and 18 females with mean age of 58.12 ± 1.18 years. The mean SIA at 12 weeks was 0.85 ± 0.28 D in group A (17 eyes), 1.32 ± 0.65 D in group B (10 eyes), and 1.91 ± 0.69 D in group C (13 eyes). The overall median uncorrected visual acuity was 0.18 (IQR = 0 to 0.2). The mean astigmatism decreased from 1.95 ± 0.74 D to 1.04 + 0.57 D (P = 0.00) in superior incision and from 1.70 + 0.50 D to 0.92 ± 0.45 D (P = 0.00) in temporal incision group with central shift of centroid in all cases. The customization of on-axis external incision size can be used to manage pre-existing corneal astigmatism of less than 3.00 D using both temporal and superior incisions effectively.

The prediction capability of a cataract surgery risk stratification model based on a large electronic medical record dataset.

The aim of this study was to develop a risk stratification system that predicts visual outcomes (uncorrected corrected visual acuity at one week and five weeks postoperative) in patients undergoing cataract surgery. This was a retrospective analysis in a multitier ophthalmology network. Data from all patients who underwent phacoemulsification or manual small-incision cataract surgery between January 2018 and December 2019 were retrieved from an electronic medical record system. There were 122,911 records; 114,172 (92.9%) had complete data included. Logistic regression analyzed unsatisfactory postoperative outcomes using a main effects model only. The final model was cross-checked using forward stepwise selection. The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test, the Bayesian information criterion, and Nagelkerke's R2 assessed model fit. Dispersion was calculated from deviance and degrees of freedom and C-stat from receiving operating characteristics analysis. The final phacoemulsification model (n = 48,169) had a dispersion of 1.08 with a Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit of 0.20, a Nagelkerke R2 of 0.19, and a C-stat of 0.72. The final manual small-incision cataract surgery model (n = 66,003) had a dispersion of 1.05 with a Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit of 0.00015, a Nagelkerke R2 of 0.14, and a C-stat of 0.68. The phacoemulsification model had reasonable model fit; the manual small-incision cataract surgery model had poor fit and was likely missing variables. The predictive capability of these models based on a large, real-world cataract surgical dataset was suboptimal to determine which patients could benefit most from sight-restoring surgery. Appropriate patient selection for cataract surgery in developing settings should still rely on clinician thought processes, intuition, and experience, with more complex cases allocated to more experienced surgeons.

Complications of manual small-incision cataract surgery.

The manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS) is instrumental in tackling cataract-induced blindness in developing countries, especially with a sizeable proportion being hard brunescent cataracts. MSICS has a unique set of complications related to wound construction, the creation of the capsular opening, and the technique of nuclear delivery. A poorly constructed sclero-corneal tunnel or a small capsulorhexis hampers the nuclear extraction, and the extensive intracameral maneuvers increase the chances of postoperative corneal edema and iritis. Though MSICS has been shown to have universal applicability, producing replicable visual outcomes requires a significant learning curve. This article reviews the relevant published literature on complications of MSICS utilizing the databases of PubMed, Medline, Cochrane, and Google Scholar.

Incidence of re-surgery after manual small-incision cataract surgery at a tertiary eye-care center in South India.

To study the incidence of re-surgery after manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS) at a tertiary eye-care center in South India and to compare the re-surgery rate between trainees and experts. A retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary eye-care center in Andhra Pradesh state of South India, which included 19,515 patients who underwent MSICS between 2012 and 2022 with 369 eyes of 369 patients who underwent re-surgery within 1 week of primary surgery. Factors included demographic data, type of re-surgery, that is, wound re-suturing, IOL repositioning, cortical wash, as well as anterior chamber (AC) wash. 19,515 eyes from the year 2012-2022 were analyzed. Most of the patients undergoing re-surgery belonged to the age group of 61-70 years (40.3%). Wound re-suturing was the more frequently performed re-surgery (47.6%). Wound re-suturing rates were comparable between the trainees and experts, whereas IOL repositioning, cortical wash, and AC wash were higher in the cases performed by trainees though statistically not significant. Careful pre-operative assessment, training under supervision, and other measures can be taken to reduce the re-surgery rates. Timely diagnosis and early treatment can give better outcomes and prevent devastating complications like endophthalmitis.

Comparative study to assess the effect of ropivacaine and a mixture of lidocaine and bupivacaine on intraocular pressure after peribulbar anesthesia for cataract surgery.

To compare the efficacy of ropivacaine with a mixture of lidocaine and bupivacaine in peribulbar anesthesia for cataract surgery, in terms of post-block intraocular pressure (IOP). A one-year comparative study was done to compare two anesthetic solutions in peribulbar anesthesia for cataract surgery, from January 2020 to December 2020 at a tertiary health care hospital. Two hundred patients (40-70 years of age) planned for small-incision cataract surgery with posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation under peribulbar anesthesia were included in the study. A single-site inferotemporal injection was given till a total eyelid drop was observed. The IOP was measured at four time-points: before block (control), 1-, 5-, and 15-minute post-block with a tonometer. The 1-minute post-block mean IOP in both the groups was higher than the baseline levels. This reflected raised intraorbital pressure secondary to peribulbar injection of local anesthetic. However, the rise in 1-minute post-block IOP was significantly less in the ropivacaine group. The 5- and 15-min post-block mean IOP values in the ropivacaine group were significantly lower than the corresponding values of the lidocaine-bupivacaine group and baseline (control) ropivacaine values. The results of this study support that ropivacaine as a local anesthetic drug for peribulbar block for small-incision cataract surgery can be a suitable alternative to the lidocaine-bupivacaine combination. Studies involving a larger sample size are required to consider ropivacaine as a superior drug to the lidocaine-bupivacaine combination.

Endoexpression technique of nucleus delivery in manual small-incision cataract surgery.

Manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS) is a cost-effective alternative to phacoemulsification and extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) for cataract surgery. The surgical technique in MSICS is heterogeneous, and the maximum variation exists in incision and nucleus delivery techniques. Many studies on various incisions are available, and most of them are dedicated to surgically induced astigmatism (SIA), utility, and visual outcomes. The nucleus delivery techniques have less-extensive literature available. They can be divided into "pulling" techniques like phacosandwich technique, fish hook technique, and vectis delivery and "pushing" techniques like viscoexpression or hydroexpression with irrigating vectis/Blumenthal's MiniNuc technique. Postoperative surgical-induced astigmatism is comparable in all techniques. The authors describe a pushing technique which does not raise the pressure of the anterior chamber and can be utilized with variable-sized and irregularly shaped nuclear fragments. It has universal application, especially when the size of the incision is getting smaller in MSICS and phacofragmentation is being used as an adjunct to reduce the incision size. It can be used in situations like posterior polar cataracts, where pressure variations in the anterior chamber can be dangerous.

Stabilization of refraction and timing of spectacle prescription following manual small-incision cataract surgery.

To determine the stabilization of refraction at 2 weeks following MSICS by comparing the difference in spherical, cylindrical component and also spherical equivalent of refraction of 2 weeks follow-up with that of 6 weeks following surgery. The difference of spherical, cylindrical component and also spherical equivalent of refraction at 2 weeks and 6 weeks follow-up of 194 eyes that underwent uncomplicated MSICS with implantation of PMMA IOL conducted by a single experienced surgeon were compared to find out the amount of change and its significance was statistically tested by Wilcoxon-Signed Rank Test. The difference in spherical power (0.04 ± 0.30), cylinder power (0.03 ± 0.40), and spherical equivalent (0.06 ± 0.34) were very small and not significant statistically (P-value ≤0.05). Necessary spectacle correction can safely be prescribed after 2 weeks following MSICS as subjective refraction stabilizes by that time without undergoing significant change. However, our observation was applicable in patients who had an uneventful cataract surgery without any risk factor, which can delay wound healing or cause poor visual outcome.