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Microinterventional approach to cataract surgery reduces energy use
NEW ORLEANS — Phacoemulsification has improved since its introduction 50 years ago, but further advances are possible, a speaker here said.
At the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting, Sean Ianchulev, MD, gave results of a first-in-human feasibility study of 101 grade 3 and higher cataractous eyes randomized to the miLOOP (Iantech) plus phacoemulsification or phacoemulsification alone.
“Fifty-three percent higher phaco energy was used in the phaco-alone group vs. the microinterventional group, so it really made the phaco more efficient,” Ianchulev said. “There were no loop-related adverse events, and we thought this was a good way to facilitate and make the cataract surgery a little more efficient and predictable.”
The miLOOP incorporates microinterventional technology and nitinol material to fragment cataracts and minimize energy use in their extraction.
“We wanted to change things,” Ianchulev said. “We wanted to see if we could get a zero energy lens fragmentation. Can we do it 100% endocapsular? Can we do it cataract grade independent? Can we deliver consistent, full-thickness segmentation of the lens?”
Describing the device and the procedure, Ianchulev said, “Basically it is able to go in through a 1.5-mm incision, it glides over the lens, rotates and then cuts it by using the purely mechanical approach without using any energy. ... You’re able to completely cut the lens in a completely different way.”
Instead of chopping from inside-out, the miLOOP is inserted, expands and encircles the lens, contracts and cuts the lens. – by Patricia Nale, ELS
Reference:
Ianchulev S. Microinterventional cataract surgery. Presented at American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting; Nov. 11-14, 2017; New Orleans.
Disclosure: Ianchulev reports he is founder and chairman of Iantech.