Purpose:
Wide angle contact lens system assisted pars plana vitrectomyenhanced the surgical success rate of complicated retinal detachments.However, an assistant is needed during the course of surgeryto stabilize the lens. We evaluated a novel touch sensitivearm that holds contact lens, instead of a surgical assistantduring vitreoretinal surgery.
Methods:
Our system utilizes a tension control unit and a flexible armassembly which allows positioning of non contact and contactsurgical lenses during vitreoretinal surgeries (Fig 1). Unitis attached to the surgical microscope and activated at thetime of wide angle viewing. The ophthalmic surgical lens ismounted to the flexible arm. When tension is applied throughthe power source the flexible arm locks in position stabilizingthe lens over the cornea. Sugeron controls the initation aswell as termination of tension with the assistance of a footpedal and adjust the position and orientation of lens with outthe need of a surgical assistant (Fig 2).
Results:
The new OptiFlex system stabilizes the lenses on the corneaand gives a clear view during retinal surgeries. This freesthe surgeon or assistant from the task of supporting lensesduring the course of surgery. 120 surgeries were performed.No related complications were noted.
Conclusions:
Optiflex is a promising surgical adjunct.It makes the surgeonindependent and reduces surgical time without compromising theclarity, field of view and magnification and eliminates theneed for a surgical assistant.Figure1: OptiFlex attached toa surgical microscope with a flexible arm to hold the lens.Figure2: Surgeon operating using Optiflex as an assistant to holdthe lens.
Keywords: vitreoretinal surgery • vitreous • optical properties