Suction posterior capsulorhexis: an audit of 15 years' experience.

Aims: To audit the results of 15 years' experience of suction posterior capsulorhexis (SPC) during phacoemulsification and compare the outcomes with a recently published multicentre audit of cataract surgery, the Cataract National Dataset (CND).

Methods: Prospective cohort observational study.

Setting: Ophthalmology department of a district general hospital.

Consecutive toxic anterior segment syndrome in combined phaco-vitrectomy.

Toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS), though rare, has been well documented following anterior segment surgery but not following vitrectomy (Monson et al., J Cataract Refract Surg 18:184-189, 1992). It typically presents within 24 h of uncomplicated cataract surgery with minimal or no pain and intense anterior segment inflammation (Monson et al.

Standing phacoemulsification: a prospective audit of 20 consecutive cases.

Purpose: To audit the surgical and postoperative complications and the visual outcomes of standing phacoemulsification and compare these with the results of conventional seated phacoemulsification.

Setting: District general hospital, Sidcup, England.

Design: Prospective comparative case series.

YAG curios #2: Nd:YAG laser treatment following suction posterior capsulorhexis.

Suction posterior capsulorhexis (SPC) is a relatively new technique for creating a posterior capsulorhexis. We present a case series of seven patients who required Nd:YAG laser treatment 27 months after SPC. No patient had pre-existing risk factors for increased postoperative inflammation and all received a one-piece polymethylmethacrylate intraocular lens placed in-the-bag.

YAG curios #1: repeat Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy.

A descriptive case series of five patients identified either opportunistically or from a retrospective review of the laser register is presented. All underwent cataract surgery between 1995 and 1999 and required initial Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy 15-30 months after surgery. They subsequently developed reclosure of the capsulotomy, necessitating repeat laser capsulotomy 11-82 months later.

Effect of pupil dilation on the accuracy of the IOLMaster.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of pupil dilation on the accuracy of the IOLMaster (Zeiss) in performing biometry and to assess test-retest variability without pupil dilation.

Setting: Ophthalmic outpatient department of a district general hospital.

Methods: This prospective study comprised consecutive patients presenting to a cataract clinic (study group) who had biometry performed with the IOLMaster before and after pupil dilation.

Intraoperative and early postoperative results of suction posterior capsulorhexis.

Purpose: To report the intraoperative complications and early postoperative visual results of suction posterior capsulorhexis (SPC).

Setting: Ophthalmology department of a district general hospital, Kent, United Kingdom.

Methods: This prospective observational study included all patients having phacoemulsification who required SPC as a planned procedure or because of posterior capsule tears (128 eyes of 122 patients).