Mr Imran Rahman Consultant Ophthalmologist Special interests: Cataract, Corneal Transplantation and Glaucoma Cataracts Truth and Myths
What is a cataract? Latin word for waterfall
What is a cataract?
The History of Cataract Surgery Reports of cataract surgery date back 300BC ConstantinusAfricanus (AD 1018) –Cataract Couching 600BC in India: –Aphakic correction –Remained popular until 19 th century
Scale of the problem 18 million people blind with cataracts 2 million procedures in the US Over in the UK last year Over last 20 years, number of procedures quadrupled
Age and risk factors 42% between 52-64, 60% between % between UV exposure: 3 xs more prevalent in pilots Diabetes Trauma Genetics Medicines
Prevention UV glasses more delay onset Vitamin A,C and E N-acetylcarnosine can treat cataracts?? Realistically no true prevention
Symptoms of cataract Individual Second sight Blurring Loss of sight Glare Daily tasks difficult Falls and secondary injuries
Glare and clarity
What we do about cataracts? Remove only when vision affected or retinal problems Removal and replacement of cataract lens has been mastered Results exceptional But expectations increased
Cataracts Removal and replacement of vision has been mastered Results exceptional But expectations increased
Intracapsular and extracapsular surgery Intracapsular surgery with Cryoprobe –Aphakic –AC lens Extracapsular surgery started 1753 –Jacques Daviel long corneal incision –Von Graefe 1865 small scleral incision –Intracaps favoured
Phacoemulsification Charles Kelman 1967 –4 hours and 41 minutes of ultrasound –Endophthalmitis Phacoemulsification took off some 20 years later Average time for surgery is 15 mins Incision size decreased from 12mm to 3mm and now possible through 1.8mm
Introduction of the IOL Operating microscope 1948 Intraocular lens 1948 –Harold Ridley –Perspex –Opposition ECCE became favoured procedure
Current IOL outcomes 80% within +/- 1 D of desired outcome Monofocals Why?
Limitations of current IOL measurements No matter how good the system, people will still make mistakes. Some reasons include: people in a hurry lack of training or accessible guidelines reliance on others technical failure (rarely) human error (often). Some common mistakes (collected from the UK and overseas departments): wrong A-constant selected wrong formula used wrong K-readings entered by hand (90 degrees out) biometry print-out stuck in wrong patient’s notes incorrectly labelled IOL wrong patient in theatre reversed IOL optic wrong IOL implanted (25.5 D implanted instead of 22.5 D or +30 D instead of +3.0 D). Some errors of omission include: no biometry at all no spectacle prescription or focimetry available no IOL available on the day not taking account of the other eye not discussing the intended outcome with the patient. Another factor to consider is the postoperative position of the IOL. Inadvertent placement in the sulcus will cause a 0.75 D myopic shift. If an anterior chamber IOL has to be used, the A- constant will be different. If all else fails, blame the machine! Different biometry machines may give different results, which can be confusing (e.g. A-scan biometry and IOL Master). In some high-volume clinics, the time required for biometry exceeds the time taken for surgery. However, if you are going to do biometry, you have to do it properly and thoroughly. It is better to have a few well-trained and experienced members of staff who can get consistent results, than to have many people with limited training and experience. Departments should aim for consistency in their biometry and audit their results. Mistakes are easy to make, but difficult (and sometimes expensive) to rectify. The following list sums up some lessons that can be learnt from others’ mistakes: slow down train and certify your biometry staff follow guidelines don’t rely on others watch out for the unexpected learn from mistakes, particularly any eyes with error greater than 2 dioptre audit your outcomes. If you are using biometry, 80 per cent of eyes should be within 1 dioptre of their intended refraction. Try to identify any issues that are leading to consistent errors
Complications Unusual Infection Bleeding Irritation Retinal detachment Sight loss
Presbyopia Holy Grail An unwelcome reminder of advancing age Mechanism unknown
Signs of Presbyopia Loss of ability to read up close Difficulty reading in bright light Difficulty viewing a computer screen Need reading glasses or bifocals Holding objects further away to read
Prelex and Premium lenses The hope of premium lenses Choosing the right lens for the right patient Hypermetropes are desperate to revert to spectacle independence
Prelex and Premium lenses The hope of premium lenses Choosing the right lens for the right patient Hypermetropes are desperate to revert to spectacle independence
Acri:Lisa Acrilisa stated as 90% spectacle Independence Only 1 year old Yet to be proven
Crystalens AO International Registry AlwaysSometimesNever Distance6%13%81% Near6%34%59% Never for distance or near --47%
Restor and Tecnis 80% of patients no longer needed glasses or contact lenses to see clearly at all distances
Limitations Studies look at spectacle independence Image quality limited Sharpness reduced Haloes and glare Decrease vision in dim light
Light Adjustable Lens Only lens adjustable after implantation Perfect ‘guaranteed’ vision can be achieved Stable Corrects presbyopia and cataract This is the next big innovation in Lens surgery The Future of Intraocular lenses
Customisation
The next Members Health Seminar is on:- Wednesday 8th September – 11.30am Education Centre Lecture Theatre VISION – Mr Phil Graham