Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To determine whether there is a difference in the complication rate between eyes with either low or high axial lengths in cataract extraction cases performed by residents. Methods: Medical records from every cataract extraction case performed by residents at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary’s Comprehensive Ophthalmology service from July 2001 through July 2003 were retrospectively examined. No patients were excluded from the study. The cases were separated into three groups based on their axial length: <22 mm, 22 mm–26 mm, >26 mm. Posterior capsule tear with or without vitreous loss was the intra–operative complication reviewed Results: Five hundred ninty eight cases were analyzed. The rate of posterior–capsule tears were highest in the group with axial lengths less than 22 mm (18.75%). In approximately the same number of cases, the group with axial lengths greater than 26 mm reported no intra–ocular complications (0.0%). For eyes with axial lengths 22 mm – 26 mm, the rate of posterior–capsule rents and vitreous loss was 9.90%. These differences are statistically significant (student t–test p<0.05, p=0.017). Conclusions: Our data indicates that the axial length does appear to be a factor in the intra–operative complication rate of cataract extraction performed by residents. Cases involving eyes with axial lengths less than 22 mm had the highest complication rates. Further investigation may demonstrate how intra–operative complications can be avoided in small eyes.
Keywords: cataract • learning