Cataract update from RANZCO

Eye Doctors surgeons recently attended the Royal Australia New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) conference in Wellington. This was a very successful annual event with a strong focus on cataract surgery. Some of the key messages and learning’s that we took away from the conference were:

* The latest results of large-scale studies of Femtosecond Laser-Assisted surgery showed that this technique remains unproven in terms of outcome benefits to patients. Visual outcomes, endophthalmitis and wound stability are still areas of concern, according to Canadian Dr Ike Ahmed, who gave the keynote cataract update lecture. Dr. Randall Olsen from Utah agreed and had issue with the unjustified cost and marketing.  The FLACS ESCRS study concluded Femto has worse post-operative visual acuity and more post operative complications than Phaco.

* In relation to Intracameral antibiotics, Eye Doctors surgeons were delighted to hear speaker Dr David Lockington (a former Corneal Fellow in Auckland, now working in Glasgow) describe Cefuroxime intracameral antibiotics as the ‘gold standard’ through which endophthalmic rates are reduced in cataract surgery. Eye Doctors surgeons introduced this technique into our practice years ago and it has certainly been our experience that this is the safest available method to reduce the risk of infection following cataract surgery, as well as the pain of subconjunctival antibiotic injections.

* The anterior segment lectures focused on improving refractive outcomes. Newer lens power calculation formulae and toric lens accuracy are crucial. The Barrett formula, used by Eye Doctors, was considered to be one of the best available. For the few cases the Sulcoflex piggyback intraocular lens is our preference and has proven to be effective and safe. 

Eye Doctors surgeons welcome feedback and questions on the latest information gained at the RANZCO conference.