Overcoming Corneal Opacity Challenges: Visualization Assessment of 3D System With Coaxial Illumination in Cataract Surgery.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the performance of the 3D visualization system with coaxial illumination (3D-C) in treating cataract patients with corneal opacities.

DESIGN

Prospective, comparative interventional case series.

SUBJECTS

This study included patients with cataract and corneal opacities that underwent phacoemulsification.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

senile cataract cases with stable corneal opacity of grade 2-3 (Corneal Haze classification).

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

(1) prior intraocular surgical interventions excluding corneal procedures; (2) ocular complications such as active corneal infections, glaucoma, lens dislocation, vitreoretinal diseases, or uveitis.

METHODS

This two-part assessment for visualization comprised of an objective analysis utilizing surgical video images and a subjective survey collecting feedback from the surgeons. Data of each eye were obtained with 2 approaches: 3D visualization system with coaxial illumination (3D-C) and 3D visualization system with standard illumination (3D-S).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Objective analysis: red reflex and contrast assessment of images in the followed steps: before the surgery, capsulorhexis, nucleus groove, and cortex aspiration. Subjective survey: scales from five experienced surgeons at eight parameters: red reflex, depth of field, corneoscleral limbus clarity, capsulorhexis, hydrodissection, nucleus groove, cortex removal, and ophthalmic viscosurgical devices removal.

RESULTS

The red reflex values of the 3D-C group were 207.7 ± 26.2, 195.7 ± 24.6, 154.3 ± 18.6, and 179.7 ± 21.6 in the steps of surgery beginning, capsulorhexis, nucleus groove, and cortex aspiration, which were markedly greater than those of the 3D-S group (P ≤ .001). Contrast values of the aforementioned steps were higher in the 3D-C group than in the 3D-S group (P ≤ .01). All surgeons emphasized that the intraocular tissue below corneal opacity was more clearly identified during various stages of the surgery by intensifying intraoperative visualization through the 3D-C approach.

CONCLUSIONS

The 3D-C approach significantly enhanced red reflex and contrast within the pupillary area during phacoemulsification. The utilization of the 3D-C approach is beneficial for performing surgical maneuvers in cataract patients with corneal opacities.