Pupil abnormalities on the first postoperative day after cataract surgery

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Techniques
• Ophthalmic Surgery

Background:

• Achieving a round pupil post-cataract surgery is a key goal for ophthalmologists.
• Pupil abnormalities and iris modifications can negatively impact cosmetic appearance and visual quality.
• Altered pupillary motility affects light reflexes and fundus examination dilation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prospectively compare the incidence of pupil abnormalities after two cataract surgery methods.
• To identify the causes of pupil abnormalities in each surgical group.
• To suggest methods for minimizing pupil abnormalities in cataract surgery.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study of 130 patients undergoing phacoemulsification and 100 patients undergoing planned extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE).
• Assessment of pupil abnormalities on the first postoperative day.
• Analysis of the causes of observed pupil abnormalities.

Main Results:

• The incidence of pupil abnormalities was 16% after ECCE versus 5.3% after phacoemulsification.
• Iris sphincter rupture was the primary cause of abnormality after ECCE.
• Iris trauma during the procedure was the most common cause after phacoemulsification.

Conclusions:

• Phacoemulsification is associated with a lower rate of postoperative pupil abnormalities compared to ECCE.
• Surgical technique directly influences the occurrence of pupil abnormalities.
• Strategies to minimize intraoperative iris trauma are crucial for preventing these complications.