|
| EDITORIAL COMMENTARY |
|
| Year : 2010 | Volume
: 3
| Issue : 3 | Page : 105-106 |
 |
|
Comparison of various techniques for cataract surgery, their efficacy, safety, and cost
Parikshit Gogate
Gogate's Eye Clinic, Pune and Lions NAB Eye Hospital, Miraj, India
| Date of Web Publication | 22-Oct-2010 |
Correspondence Address:
Parikshit Gogate
Dr. Gogates Eye Clinic, K-102, Kumar Garima, Tadiwala road, Pune 411 001
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0974-620X.71880
How to cite this article:
Gogate P. Comparison of various techniques for cataract surgery, their efficacy, safety, and cost. Oman J Ophthalmol 2010;3:105-6 |
Cataract is the commonest cause of avoidable blindness worldwide, [1] and cataract surgery is the commonest procedure performed in ophthalmology. Cataract surgery is also one of the most cost-effective surgical interventions in terms of the quality of life restored. [2] It was the most common surgical procedure performed in the United States in the past decade, [3] and formed the major source of earning for many ophthalmologists. It is fast, relatively risk free, does not need admission or general anesthesia and yet gives dramatic recovery compared to the preoperative condition. This makes it the favorite of not just operating surgeons, but also of policy makers, health managers, and hospital administrators.
Techniques of cataract surgery have changed dramatically in the past three decades. Sir Stewart Duke Elder mentioned intracapsular cataract extraction (ICCE) as the surgery of choice in his venerable tome in 1967 and was not impressed by the new technique called phacoemulsification (Phaco). [4] That would be hearsay today.
The Madurai intraocular lens implant study demonstrated for the first time the superiority of extracapsular cataract surgery (ECCE) with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation (PCIOL) over ICCE. [5] Both resulted in a similar best-corrected visual acuity, but ECCE-PCIOL had fewer complications and resulted in a better uncorrected vision. The difference was more marked when quality of life and vision function were considered. [6] At about the same time, a randomized control trial comparing Phaco with ECCE found Phaco to be more effective and economical in the United Kingdom (UK). [7] Phaco soon replaced ECCE and formed the major proportion of the cataract surgeries in the UK. [8]
Manual small incision cataract surgery (SICS) in which the nucleus was prolapsed through a self-sealing scleral tunnel was developed in the United States and Israel and later popularized in India. As it was found to be safer, more effective and cheaper than ECCE, it became popular in India and forms the major proportion of the cataract surgeries done in south Asia. [9],[10] Manual SICS was considered a poor cousin of Phaco till a randomized control trial demonstrated it to be not only economical, [11] but almost as effective as phacoemulsification. [12],[13] There is a difference in 0.3-0.5 diopter of astigmatism between SICS and Phaco, but a substantial difference in cost. Should a large cataract surgery program bear this cost for the small incremental benefit? [14] A version of SICS is being taught and popularized the world over by major international non-governmental developmental organizations. While it may be possible to have small incision 99.9% of the times, [15] some cataracts such as grossly subluxated lenses, very hard cataracts, or those with poor endothelial counts are better removed through a larger incision.
Phacoemulsification with foldable IOLs is undoubtedly the gold standard wherever Phaco machines and trained surgeons are available and the service affordable. Unfortunately, the technique depends upon not only just a costly piece of technology, but also on more expensive consumables and trained human resource. Cataract surgery has become a refractive surgery today as patients demand better and earlier visual rehabilitation. A patient undergoing ICCE would require +10.0 + 1.5 Χ 180º spectacle correction for distance. ECCE + IOL implantation has done away with the spherical correction and Phaco with the cylindrical correction, but the patient still needs an optical aid for near vision.
Multifocal IOLs are pushing the envelope by giving unaided, not just distance, but also clear near vision. [16] Newer materials, lens designs, and placement techniques contribute to making the pseudophakic eye function almost like a young clear lens phakic eye.
A study comparing bimanual Phaco (Phaconit) with co-axial Phaco had found a small, but significant difference in the astigmatism. [17] At present, it does not seem to offer a significant advantage over the existing technique unless sub 1 mm incision IOLs become available.
Despite numerous advances, results of cataract surgery still vary the world over. [8],[18],[19] While surgeons remain obsessed by techniques, patients are more concerned about the outcome. Even countries that have the best possible infrastructure and human resource still have some patients waiting for cataract surgery. [20] A diligent preoperative evaluation, proper asepsis, precise intraoperative skill, and good postoperative care are essential to have repeated good outcomes. While most factors remain the same, what makes the most difference in outcome is the skill, patience, and competence of the surgeon. While we laud the many technical advances that have happened in this realm, we should not forget that the surgeon who holds the instrument is still the most crucial factor in the success of cataract surgery.
 Acknowledgments | |  |
The author thanks Prof. Ravi Thomas, Queensland Eye Institute, South Brisbane 4101, Queensland, Australia, for his valuable input.
| References | | |
| 1. | Resnikoff S, Pascolini D, Etya'ale D, Kocur I, Pararajasegaram R, Pokharel GP, et al. Global data on visual impairment in the year 2002. Bull World Health Organ 2004;82:844-51.  [PUBMED] [FULLTEXT] |
| 2. | Porter R. Global initiative: The economic case. Community Eye Health 1998;27:44-5. |
| 3. | Ellwein LB, Urato CJ. Use of eye care and associated charges among Medicare population 1991-1998. Arch Ophthalmol 2002;120:804-11. [PUBMED] [FULLTEXT] |
| 4. | Duke-Elder S. System of Ophthalmology. Diseases of lens and vitreous; glaucoma and hypotony. Vol. 11. London: Henry Kimpton; 1969. p. 272-3. |
| 5. | Prajna NV, Chandrakanth KS, Kim R, Narendran V, Selvakumar S, Rohini G, et al. The Madurai Intraocular Lens Study. 2: Clinical outcomes. Am J Ophthalm 1998;125:14-25. |
| 6. | Fletcher A, Vijaykumar V, Selvaraj S, Thulasiraj RD, Ellwein LB. The Madurai Intraocular Lens Study. 3: Visual functioning and quality of life outcomes. Am J Ophthalmol 1998;125:26-35. [PUBMED] |
| 7. | Minassian DC, Rosen P, Dart JK, Reidy A, Desai P, Sidhu M. Extracapsular cataract extraction compared with small incision surgery by phacoemulcification: A randomised trial. Br J Ophthalmology 2001;85:822-9. |
| 8. | Jaycock P, Johnston RL, Taylor H, Adams M, Tole DM, Galloway P, et al. UK EPR user group. The Cataract National Dataset electronic multi-centre audit of 55,567 operations: Updating benchmark standards of care in the United Kingdom and internationally. Eye 2009;23:38-49. [PUBMED] [FULLTEXT] |
| 9. | Gogate P, Deshpande M, Wormald R, Deshpande R, Kulkarni S. Extra capsular cataract surgery compared with manual small incision cataract surgery in community eye care setting in western India: A randomized control trial. Br J Ophthalmol 2003;87:667-72. |
| 10. | Gogate P, Deshpande M, Wormald R. Is manual small incision cataract surgery affordable to developing countries? A cost comparison with extra capsular cataract extraction. Br J Ophthalmol 2003;87:843-6. |
| 11. | Gogate P, Kulkarni S, Krishnaiah S, Deshpande R, Joshi S, Palimkar A, et al. Safety and efficacy of phacoemulsification compared with manual small incision cataract surgery by a randomized control trial: Six weeks results. Ophthalmology 2005;112:869-74. |
| 12. | Gogate P, Deshpande M, Nirmalan P. Why do phacoemulsification? Manual small incision cataract surgery is almost as effective and more economical. Ophthalmology 2007;114:965-8. |
| 13. | Ruit S, Tabin G, Chang D, Bajracharya L, Kline DC, Richheimer R, et al. A prospective randomized clinical trial of phacoemulsification vs. manual sutureless small-incision extra capsular cataract surgery in Nepal. Am J Ophthalmol 2007;143:32-8. |
| 14. | Thomas R. Role of small incision cataract surgery in the Indian scenario. Ind J Ophthalmol 2009;57:1-2. |
| 15. | Thomas R, Kuriakose T, George R. Towards achieving small-incision cataract surgery 99.8% of the time. Ind J Ophthalmol 2000;48:154-1. |
| 16. | Avitabile T, Marano F. Multifocal intra-ocular lenses. Curr Opin Ophthalmol 2001;12:12-6. [PUBMED] [FULLTEXT] |
| 17. | Cavallini GM, Campi L, Masini C, Pelloni S, Pupino A. Bimanual microphacoemulsification versus coaxial miniphacoemulsification: A prospective study. J Cataract Refract Surg 2007;33:387-92. [PUBMED] [FULLTEXT] |
| 18. | Huang W, Huang G, Wang D, Yin Q, Foster PJ, He M. Outcomes of cataract surgery in urban southern China: The Liwan Eye Study. Invest Ophthalm Vis Sci 2010. [In Press]. |
| 19. | Abdelmoaty S, Behbehani AM, Aljazzaf A, Grigis N, Eslah E, Marouf T et al. The Kuwait cataract outcome study: A 12-month evaluation. Med Princ Prac 2006;15:180-4. |
| 20. | Khandekar R, Mohammed AJ. Cataract prevalence, cataract surgical coverage and its contribution to the reduction of visual disability in Oman. Ophthalm Epidemiol 2004;11:181-9. |
| This article has been cited by | | 1 |
Outcomes of manual small incision cataract surgery in hypermature/morgagnian cataract |
|
| Josephine S. Christy, Thamizhselvi Dhanaseelan, Vivekanandan Vellam Ramakrishnan, Venkatesh Rengaraj | | Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. 2023; 49(1): 50 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 2 |
To compare postoperative astigmatism and visual outcome following phacoemulsification versus Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery (MSICS) seen at tertiary care center |
|
| Priyanka Priyanka, Khan Khalid, Kishnani Mansi, Dube Mihika | | Journal of Clinical Research and Ophthalmology. 2022; 9(1): 001 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 3 |
Triad of rubric assessment, constructive feedback and video recorded surgeries key assessment for competent ophthalmic surgeon |
|
| Prachi Nilraj Bakare, Rupali Maheshgauri, Deepaswi Bhavsar, Renu Magdum | | Indian Journal of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology. 2022; 7(4): 703 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 4 |
Evaluation of the Effect of Uncomplicated Cataract Surgery on Retina and Optic Disc: Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Study |
|
| Burak Özkan, Emine Çiloglu | | Korean Journal of Ophthalmology. 2022; 36(4): 287 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 5 |
A COMPARISON OF CENTRAL CORNEAL THICKNESS ON OCT IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING SICS AND PHACOEMULSIFICATION WITH INTRAOCULAR LENS IMPLANTATION |
|
| Priyanka D. Asgaonkar, K. P. Badhe | | INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. 2020; : 14 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 6 |
Effects of preoperative doses of betamethasone acetate 0.1% on dry eye control after cataract surgery |
|
| Saeed Shokoohi-Rad, SeyedehZeinab Hashemi Javaheri, FatemehZare Malekabad, Hamid Khakshoor, MohammadKhajeh Daluee | | Indian Journal of Ophthalmology. 2020; 68(3): 450 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 7 |
Evaluation of skills transfer in short-term phacoemulsification surgery training program by International Council of Ophthalmology -Ophthalmology Surgical Competency Assessment Rubrics (ICO-OSCAR) and assessment of efficacy of ICO-OSCAR for objective eval |
|
| KhurshedM Bharucha, VivekG Adwe, AtulM Hegade, RahulD Deshpande, MadanD Deshpande, VK S Kalyani | | Indian Journal of Ophthalmology. 2020; 68(8): 1573 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 8 |
A study of visco assisted mechanical pupil stretching for nucleus prolapse in cases of non or mid dilating pupil during small incision cataract surgery |
|
| Smitha Shyam Kumar, Sandhya Ramachandra | | IP International Journal of Ocular Oncology and Oculoplasty. 2020; 6(3): 212 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 9 |
Changes in subfoveal choroidal thickness after uncomplicated cataract surgery |
|
| Gaile Gudauskiene, Indre Matuleviciute, Ruta Mockute, Evelina Maciulaityte, Dalia Zaliuniene | | Biomedical Papers. 2019; 163(2): 179 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 10 |
Efficacy and safety of intraoperative intracameral mydriasis in manual small incision cataract surgery - A randomized controlled trial |
|
| K Ajay, Srinivasan Saranya, DivyaDabir Sundaresh, HR Hithashree, BC Hemalatha, Malavika Krishnaswamy, SathyendranathB Shetty | | Indian Journal of Ophthalmology. 2017; 65(7): 584 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 11 |
Comparison of clinical outcomes, patient and surgeon satisfaction following topical versus peribulbar anesthesia for phacoemulsification: A randomized controlled trial |
|
| Parikshit Gogate | | Indian Journal of Ophthalmology. 2015; 63(4): 360 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | |
|
 |
|
|
|
