Traditional diffractive multifocal lens implants are sometimes associated with unacceptably high levels of optical aberrations, haloes in the vision, and glare. Some authorities would actually not recommend diffractive multifocal implants in individuals needing to drive at night regularly, because of the potential for glare from oncoming headlights. Accordingly the lens technology companies developed Extended Depth… Read More
Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery
Earlier this year, a randomised controlled clinical trial was published from the group at St Thomas’ Hospital in London, directly comparing outcomes of conventional cataract surgery with laser-assisted cataract surgery. With 200 eyes in each trial group, the study found virtually no meaningful differences in outcome for the two groups in terms of level of… Read More
Routine OCT scanning prior to cataract surgery
Here is an interesting write-up of a study from Israel that was presented at this year’s American Academy annual meeting. Of the 226 patients (mean age 73 years) referred, 40% of the OCT scans were classified as abnormal, with macular degeneration, epiretinal membrane, and vitreomacular traction all represented. Apparently, some 18 of these eyes had… Read More
Outcomes of laser-assisted vs manual cataract surgery
Laser-assisted cataract surgery has emerged as an alternative to traditional (manual) cataract surgery in recent years, but several studies have failed to provide evidence of major advantages of the technology, while others have demonstrated that laser-assisted cataract surgery may actually increase complication rates. This recent, large, single-centre study examined visual and refractive outcomes on around… Read More
Laser-assisted cataract surgery – visual outcomes
In recent years femtosecond lasers have been used in a small number of centers to assist in cataract surgery, with theoretical benefits including more precise creation of corneal incisions and the anterior capsulotomy. However the majority of surgeons have failed to see this translate into any meaningful visual benefit for the patient, and indeed the… Read More
Routine use of non-steroidal drops after cataract surgery
There are two types of eye drop that can be used to control eye inflammation following cataract surgery – steroid drops, and non-steroidal drops (the latter of which are the eye drop equivalent of something like ibuprofen). Of the two classes, steroid drops are more effective (potent) and almost all surgeons routinely prescribe them following… Read More
Laser-assisted cataract surgery: risk of cystoid macular oedema
Despite increasing interest in the possibility of using femtosecond lasers to assist with cataract surgery, most surgeons have not chosen to adopt the technology due to concerns about increased complication rates combined with very few real-world advantages. This study compared the incidence of cystoid macular oedema (abnormal swelling of the retina) in patients who had… Read More
Bilateral multifocal intraocular lens implantation
This recent large randomised controlled trial from Moorfields Eye Hospital examined visual results in patients receiving one of two commercially available diffractive multifocal implants, made by Zeiss and Alcon respectively. Given that the purpose of these special implants is to gain spectacle independence, it is surprising that only 82% and 77% of patients actually achieved… Read More
