INTRA-OPERATIVE MANAGEMENT OF CATARACT SURGERY COMPLICATIONS Dr. H. Razmjoo Isfahan University of Medical Sciences

 1- Loose zonules & Phacodonesis  2- Lens subluxation  3- Miotic pupil  4- Glucomatus cases with shallow AC  5- Brunescent lenses  6- High refractory errors High Risk Cases for VL

 7 -Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome  8 -Traumatic Cataract  9- Fellow eye of Complicated Cataract Surgery  10 - Eyes with Transillumination defects in Iris  11- Previously Vitrectomized eyes  12- Hypermature cataracts  13- Very Aged patient  14- Intra operative floppy iris syndrome

 Chopping technique is preferred for phacoemulsification  Use CTR  Lens removal in the presence of severe phacodonesis can be facilitated by temporary suspension of the capsule using iris hooks. Management of Phacodonesis

 A capsular tension ring alone is not sufficient if the zonular defect is larger than 5 h (150 Degree)

Capsule Tension Rings  Dialysis of 2–3 h (<90°)—CTR is an option, not a necessity.  Dialysis of 3–5 h (90–150°)—CTR is required to assure capsular stability and IOL centration.  Dialysis of 5–7 h (150–210°)—CTR can be used, but may not be sufficient. The lens or the ring should also sutured to adjacent structures.

 Dialysis of more than 7 h usually requires complete lens removal and implantation of an AC-IOL (angle or iris supported) or PC-IOL sutured to the sclera and/or iris.

Insertion of CTR  An intact capsular bag and a continuous capsulorhexis are prerequisites for using a CTR.

 Usage of Iris hooks for bag fixation:

If the CTR was not successful use Scleral fixation of PC IOL or using Artisan lens

MANAGEMENT OF SMALL PUPIL

 Adequate pupil size is imperative for safe cataract removal.

 Flomax has led to intraoperative floppy iris syndrome. It will also prolapse into the phaco and side port incisions.

 Small pupil is generally defined as a pupil less than 4 mm in diameter.  It has been shown that about 1.6% of cases will fall into this category.

 The presence of a small pupil is a significant risk factor for the development of complications during cataract surgery.

Starting the surgery  Intracameral 0.5 cc of unpreserved lidocaine 1% with 1:100,000 unpreserved epinephrine.  Injection of viscoelastic.  Inspection of the iris with an instrument to identify synechia.

 The most common cause of a small surgical pupil is the pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

Methods of pupil dilation (1)  Two-Instrument Iris Stretch

Methods of pupil dilation (2)  use of instruments that have been designed to produce a three- or four- point stretch with one hand.

Methods of pupil dilation (3) Iris retractors  There are both nylon and titanium iris retractors available to dilate the pupil.

Methods of pupil dilation (4)  Pupil Expanders: silicone or PMMA

Methods of pupil dilation (5)  Multiple Sphincterotomies

VITREOUS LOSS

Vitreous loss is inevitable

 Broken capsules occur at a rate between 0.45% for very experienced surgeons  And up to 14.7% for residents in training.  Broken capsules occur at a rate between 0.45% for very experienced surgeons  And up to 14.7% for residents in training.

Complications of VL  Endophthalmitis  Cystoid Macular Edema  Retinal Detachment  Persistent increase in Intraocular Pressure  Intraocular Lens Dislocation/Subluxation  Choroidal Detachment  Suprachoroidal hemorrhage  Corneal edema

Categories:  Broken capsule with an intact anterior hyaloid.  Vitreous prolapse into AC  Vitreous loss through the incision

SEQUELAE ;RD  RD may occur at the rate of 1% after uncomplicated surgery  Increases up to 8.6% following VL  RD increases to 14.5% when lens fragments are retained.

 The most common sequela of complicated surgery is an increased risk of cystoid macular edema (CME)

EARLY RECOGNITION

Early signs of break in the posterior capsule:  A bounce of the iris diaphragm  Change in anterior chamber depth  Change in pupil size

A posterior capsule tear

Loss of followability of lens material Loss of phaco efficiency during surgery are reliable signs that vitreous is present.

 A peaked pupil or movements of the pupil edge with remote touch are classic signs not to be ignored.

EARLY RESPONSE

FIRST  Do not pull out of the eye when recognizing a complication.  The phaco tip between the lips of the wound controls the intraocular environment.

 Upon recognition of a problem go to foot position zero but do not move the phaco tip.  Remove the non-dominant hand instrument from the paracentesis  Prepare to inject OVD (Ophthalmic Viscosurgical Device ) through the paracentesis incision.

 Only after OVD injection can the phaco tip be withdrawn from the eye.  If not, the chamber will collapse and the stage of complication may progress from capsular rupture to vitreous prolapse or to vitreous loss.

 Avoid reintroduction of intracameral unpreserved 1% xylocaine with broken zonules or a capsule rupture.  There will be a transient amaurosis, This can be disconcerting or even frightening to both patient and surgeon.

DAMAGE CONTROL

 compartmentalization with a dispersive OVD.  If the rent in the posterior capsule is central, this must be converted to a circular posterior capsulorhexis

Tear is redirected to a posterior capsulorrhexis

 Posterior chamber nuclear fragments must be raised above the iris plane into the anterior chamber with OVD.

 If the lens fragment is below the posterior capsule and has descended into the posterior segment, the fragments should be left in place for later removal with a full three-port pars plana vitrectomy.

DROPPED NUCLEUS DURING CATARACT SURGERY

 Lens material cannot damage the retina, unless manipulated by a surgeon.  Posterior assisted levitation to raise a dropped nucleus into the anterior chamber for removal creating unsafe vitreoretinal traction.

 If a capsular defect is observed and the nucleus has not dropped, viscoelastic injection should be used to create a barrier over the capsular defect.

If the nucleus drops….  Focus upon safe management of the vitreous.  Consider lens implantation  Manage the wound  Refer to posterior segment surgeon

 The timing of the deep vitrectomy is determined on an individual case basis.  Early vitrectomy (fewer than 3 weeks) was associated with better visual results.

 Some cases may require delay to permit clearing of corneal edema for surgical visualization.

 Urgent surgical intervention may be indicated in: Cases with markedly elevated intraocular pressure refractory to medical management.

TO PHACO OR CONVERT TO ECCE?

Continue Phaco…  It is essential there be no admixture of vitreous and lens material.  vitreous will be attracted to the phaco port displacing nucleus and preventing aspiration of lens material with a high likelihood of retinal tear and detachment.

 Unless vitreous can be isolated and compartmentalized away from lens fragments, the phaco hand piece should not be used.

In the presence of a controlled capsule tear  Tear must be adequately covered by OVD, or a lens glide to minimize the risk of forcing nuclear fragments posteriorly or displacing vitreous.

Small rent in post capsule Lowering the infusion bottle Full occlusion of the aspiration port Minimal phaco power. Will reduce the risk of further damage to the capsule and aspiration of vitreous.

Capsular rupture If the majority of the nucleus remains and the capsular tear is large further attempts at phaco should be abandoned.

 A slow motion technique should be employed  with low flow,  moderate vacuum and  appropriate pulses of energy  adequate flow to avoid wound burn to promote follow ability and to minimize chatter.

How convert to ECCE?  Choose the incision based on the size of the remaining fragments.  If the fragment is judged to fit 4mm, the clear corneal incision can be utilized.

If you need > 4mm incision  Move superiorly and perform an adequate limbal or scleral tunnel incision appropriate to the fragment size.

Removal of remained lens material. Surgeon should enlarge the incision and remove the nucleus with a lens loop or spoon.

 Do not express with external pressure  Remove the fragment with a cystotome, forceps or a vectus glide

VITRECTOMY TECHNIQUE

Vitreous is virtually invisible  Preservative free triamcinolone acetate (Kenalog) particulate marking of the vitreous should be used to identify its presence and to delineate the extent of prolapse.

Insertion of a second instrument On lens glide behind the nuclear remnant may help prevent its dislocation in to the vitreous.

 Remove as much triamcinolone as possible.  Some patients may show a steroid response of ocular hypertension.

 Cellulose sponges are used by many surgeons for anterior vitrectomy as well as for testing for vitreous in the anterior chamber, in the wound, or on the iris.

 It inherently causes marked instantaneous vitreoretinal traction.

 Traction on the anterior vitreous is particularly dangerous because of  proximity to the vitreoretinal adherence at the vitreous base  peripheral retina is more fragile

 The vitreous cutter should be used to amputate any posterior connection to wound-entrapped vitreous.  In some instances OVD can be used to reposit vitreous.

Vitrectomy Perform anterior vitrectomy to avoid vitreous prolapse.

Cut rate:  Fast cutting rate reduces vitreoretinal traction.  Fast cut increase fluidic stability

Suction:  Low suction levels and low flow rates are safer.  The suction or flow rate should be slowly increased until vitreous starts being removed.

INSPECTION AND IOL CHOICE

Viscoelastic Can be introduced posteriorly to the fragment in an effort to float it anteriorly and removing.

 Be sure the pupil is round.  Be certain incisions are sealable.  Evaluate the intactness of the CCC  Evaluate the extent of the posterior capsule tear and residual sulcus support.

Place foldable IOL in the bag:  if the posterior tear has been converted to a CCC  There are less than 3 hours of zonulolysis  The haptic should be placed to support the area of zonulolysis.

Iol implantation Bag if safe, ciliary sulcus or Artisan lens.

 If the anterior CCC is intact the foldable lens should have sulcus haptic placement

 In the absence of an intact CCC, a sulcus IOL may be placed entirely in the sulcus  if there is adequate posterior capsule support 180 degrees apart.

 Avoid plate haptic and one-piece acrylic lenses.  The sulcus lens haptic diameter should be at least 13mm.

In the absence of capsular support:  Posterior chamber lens with scleral fixation  Artisan lens  An anterior chamber open loop lens?

POSTOPERATIVE CARE

Post op care. Frequent postop topical steroid,NSAIDS and IOP lowering agents can be used.

Intraocular pressure elevation:  High IOP within the first 24 hours is often due to retained OVD  High pressure secondary to retained lens fragments takes several days

 the surgeon should anticipate increased post-op inflammation  Require intensive topical steroids  Intracameral antibiotic injection  Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications.  Peribulbar steroids

There is a significantly increased risk of endophthalmitis  Consider intracameral injection of antibiotics  Oral dosing of fourth generation fluroquinolone

Conclusion:  Effectively dealing with crisis is a matter of having prepared for it.

Thank You