Coaxial, bimanual I&A show similar efficacy for long-term PCO prevention

There appears to be no significant difference between coaxial and bimanual irrigation and aspiration techniques on the formation of posterior capsular opacification after cataract surgery, according to a long-term study by a surgeon in Turkey. However, the bimanual technique may be more beneficial for the complete removal of cortical material, the study author noted.

"Although CeeOn Edge 911A silicone lenses (Advanced Medical Optics) with sharp edge prevent formation of PCO very effectively, in one eye in the coaxial irrigation/aspiration group, two lines of decrease in visual acuity were observed due to PCO," he wrote.

Havva G. Ozdemir, MD, prospectively evaluated the long-term outcomes from phacoemulsification cataract surgery in 60 eyes of 39 patients who averaged 65 years of age. Coaxial I&A was used to remove the cortex in 32 eyes, and bimanual I&A was used in 28 eyes, according to the study.

All eyes were implanted with a CeeOn Edge 911A sharp-edged IOL, Dr. Ozdemir noted.

At 8 months follow-up, cortex migration and subsequent secondary cataract formation was observed in one eye treated with the coaxial I&A technique, which resulted in a two-line decrease in visual acuity.

At 44 months mean follow-up, all eyes achieved best corrected visual acuity of 0.5 or better, and postoperative refractive errors ranged from +1 D to –2 D, according to the study, published in the December issue of Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology.