This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Adrenaline in irrigating solution might be necessary only for certain cataract cases
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
BERLIN — Pupils that received adrenaline in balanced salt solution and preoperative NSAIDs before cataract surgery appear to be more stable than pupils that did not receive adrenaline, a study found.
However, in the group that did not receive adrenaline, the change in pupil size was so small, the clinical outcome was unaffected, suggesting that adrenaline might not be needed for all pupils, Lindsay Ong-Tone, MBChB, FRCSEd, FRCOphth, FRCSC, said at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting.
He conducted a study that looked at pupil size with adrenaline added to balanced salt solution during cataract surgery in 183 patients. Patients were randomly assigned to receive adrenaline in balanced salt solution or no adrenaline.
"Adrenaline in the irrigating solution is not necessary if the pupil is widely dilated," Dr. Ong-Tone said. "It would still be beneficial if the pupils dilate poorly preoperatively."
This is a well-designed and timely study, and I personally agree with the conclusions they reach. The message is that you do not need adrenaline in the pipeline for your cataract surgery. Personally, I do think that its use should be restricted to cases of intraoperative floppy iris syndrome or pseudoexfoliation syndrome, to improve control on the mydriasis. To use it on a regular basis increases your clinical costs and risks with no extra value.
– Jorge L. Alió, MD, PhD
OSN Europe/Asia-Pacific Edition Associate Editor