Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026
05:19
Modeling Cataract Surgery in Mice
Published on: December 1, 2023
Cataract surgery complications in nonagenarians.
Victoria L Tseng1, Paul B Greenberg, Wen-Chih Wu
1Section of Ophthalmology, VA Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA.
Ophthalmology
|March 11, 2011
Summary
Nonagenarians and octogenarians have similar risks of ocular complications after cataract surgery. This study found no increased risk for nonagenarians, suggesting age alone is not a barrier to safe cataract surgery.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Geriatric Medicine
- Surgical Outcomes
Background:
- Cataract surgery is common in elderly populations.
- Understanding age-related risks is crucial for patient selection and surgical planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the risk of ocular complications from cataract surgery in nonagenarians versus octogenarians within the US Veterans Health Administration (VHA).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of 554 nonagenarians and 11,407 octogenarians undergoing cataract surgery.
- Data analyzed included demographics, comorbidities, and intraoperative/postoperative complications within 90 days.
- Logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (OR).
Main Results:
- Diabetes mellitus and age-related macular degeneration were common comorbidities in both groups.
- The overall complication rate was similar: 13.5% for octogenarians and 13.4% for nonagenarians.
- The adjusted OR for any complication in nonagenarians versus octogenarians was 0.94 (95% CI, 0.73-1.22).
Conclusions:
- Nonagenarians do not face an increased risk of ocular complications compared to octogenarians after cataract surgery in the VHA.
- Further research should explore visual function and quality of life outcomes in this very elderly cohort.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways
At the molecular level, visual signals trigger transformations in photopigment molecules, resulting in changes in the photoreceptor cell's membrane potential. The photon's energy level is denoted by its wavelength, with each specific wavelength of visible light associated with a distinct color. The spectral range of visible light, classified as electromagnetic radiation, spans from 380 to 720 nm. Electromagnetic radiation wavelengths exceeding 720 nm fall under the infrared category, whereas...
01:25Glaucoma: Overview
Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
01:28Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...
01:22Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Absorption
As individuals age, their body's physiology evolves, affecting drug pharmacokinetics. The most apparent changes occur in the gastrointestinal tract, where an increase in gastric pH, a delay in gastric emptying, and a reduction in gastrointestinal motility are observed. Remarkably, these changes do not substantially modify the absorption of orally administered drugs, particularly those absorbed via passive diffusion.Transdermal drug delivery emerges as a highly viable method for older adults due...
01:28Cardiac Catheterization I: Pre-Procedure Overview
Cardiac catheterization is an invasive diagnostic technique used to identify and evaluate structural and functional diseases of the heart and major blood vessels. This technique diagnoses congenital heart disease, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, and coronary spasms and assesses ventricular function. It helps guide treatment decisions, including the need for revascularization procedures like percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and...
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...