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New developments for cataract, corneal surgeries improve outcomes
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PHOENIX – A new technology available to surgeons is “moving cataract surgery into the realm of refractive surgery,” according to a presenter here at Academy 2012.
David I. Geffen, OD, FAAO, spoke about innovations in technology at a lecture sponsored by PRIMARY CARE OPTOMETRY NEWS and was joined PCON Editorial Board member Paul M. Karpecki, OD, FAAO.
The ORA device by Wavetec “attaches to the surgical microscope and measures the power of the lens to verify the placement of the IOL and the power when it’s in place,” Geffen said.
The surgeon can exchange the lens immediately or rotate it as needed, he said.
“Patients are paying a lot of money for premium lenses,” Geffen continued. “We’re doing more clear lens extractions than ever before. LASIK has improved with wavefront-optimized and -corrected techniques. Cataract surgery is approaching this.”
Geffen said his practice has been using the ORA for 5 to 6 months, and the clinicians have been compiling data.
“The surgeons think their outcomes are better, and they’re changing one out of 10 or 12 lenses,” he said. “We’re looking at a retrospective study to see if it really has improved our outcomes.”
Geffen said Wavetec also has software available for comanaging practices so optometrists can input the patient’s data and send it to the surgeon.
“It also allows our optometric comanagement network to pull up all of their patients they referred for cataract surgery and look at their outcomes,” he said. “It’s a huge benefit for the optometric practice.”
Geffen noted that the technology is “not overwhelmingly expensive,” and it is beneficial to use in cataract surgery patients who have had prior refractive surgery.
Karpecki said another technology of which optometrists should be aware is corneal collagen cross-linking for keratoconus.
With this procedure, riboflavin drops are instilled until well absorbed into the cornea, and ultraviolet light is applied. The riboflavin prevents absorption of UV, thereby hindering the formation of cataracts or macular damage as a result of the procedure.
“You don’t completely correct the refractive error,” Karpecki said, “but you halt the progression so patients can stay in contact lenses.”
PRK can also be applied afterwards.
On average, patients improve by 3.5 D on keratometry, Karpecki said.
The procedure is being investigated for treating bacteria, which would allow it to be used for conjunctivitis or microbial keratitis, he added.
Disclosures: Geffen and Karpecki have no relevant financial interests.