Pupil-expansion ring implantation through a 0.9 mm incision.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmic Surgery
• Surgical Devices
• Ophthalmology

Background:

• Cataract surgery often requires pupil expansion for optimal visualization and instrument manipulation.
• Existing pupil expansion methods may involve complex insertion/removal techniques or specialized injectors.
• A novel, disposable pupil expansion device has been developed to address these challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the design and function of the Bhattacharjee pupil-expansion ring.
• To evaluate the ease of insertion and removal of the device.
• To highlight the utility of the device in various cataract and vitreous surgery techniques.

Main Methods:

• The Bhattacharjee pupil-expansion ring is a disposable, 0.1 mm thin nylon device with specific flange and notch designs.
• Insertion involves using forceps to guide the ring through a main or side-port incision (0.9 mm or larger) and tucking flanges under the iris.
• Removal is achieved by disengaging notches and extracting the ring through the incision.

Main Results:

• The device is made of 5-0 nylon and features notches and flanges for secure placement and removal.
• Insertion and removal can be performed using standard ophthalmic instruments like forceps and hooks, without requiring an injector.
• No snagging of the incision was observed during insertion or removal.

Conclusions:

• The Bhattacharjee pupil-expansion ring is a novel, disposable device simplifying pupil expansion in ophthalmic surgery.
• Its design facilitates atraumatic insertion and removal through small incisions, applicable to phacoemulsification and microincision surgeries.
• The device is suitable for various procedures including femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery, microincision cataract surgery (MICS), and vitreous surgery, especially in eyes with shallow anterior chambers.