Authors' recommendations: A cataract is an opacification of the lens of the eye. Most cataracts are caused by age-related changes in the lens that decrease its ability to transmit visible light. An estimated 3 million cataract surgeries are performed annually in the United States, and this number will rise as the population ages. The lens, located in the anterior compartment of the eye behind the iris and the pupil, is composed of a firm nucleus or central portion and a surrounding, softer cortex, and is enveloped by an elastic capsule. To treat a cataract, the surgeon dilates the pupil, opens the anterior capsule of the lens (capsulorhexis), emulsifies and evacuates the native lens with the assistance of ultrasonic fragmentation, and implants an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) in the capsule. Capsulorhexis is the most difficult step of cataract surgery. The surgeon must create a continuous, curvilinear incision in the anterior capsule. The size and shape of the incision is crucial for successful placement of the new IOL. The capsulorhexis must be symmetric, centrally positioned, and correctly sized to allow centration of the IOL and prevent the new lens from tilting, rotating, or moving posteriorly. Another key step in cataract surgery is removal of the native lens. After the capsule is opened, the cortex of the lens can be removed with irrigation, but the firmer nucleus may need to be broken into smaller pieces before removal. This is accomplished with a phacoemulsifier, an ultrasonic transducer that uses vibration to emulsify the lens. The vibration of phacoemulsification is associated with oxidative stress and endothelial cell injury that can lead to loss of corneal endothelial cells, corneal edema, infection, or undesirable effects on vision. Minimizing the effective phacoemulsification time (EPT) is a major goal of cataract surgery.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2014

URL for published report: The report may be purchased from: http://www.hayesinc.com/hayes/crd/?crd=16372

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: United States

Organisation Name: HAYES, Inc.

Contact Address: 157 S. Broad Street, Suite 200, Lansdale, PA 19446, USA. Tel: 215 855 0615; Fax: 215 855 5218

Contact Name: saleinfo@hayesinc.com

Contact Email: saleinfo@hayesinc.com

Copyright: 2014 Winifred S. Hayes, Inc