Abstract
Purpose :
In cataract surgery, intraocular temperature changes when irrigating fluid and ophthalmic viscosurgical devices (OVD) are injected, and this temperature variation affects the unfolding of the intraocular lens (IOL). Extracted porcine eyes are used for experimental observation, which are unsuitable for observing the IOL in the capsule due to the low temperature of the eyes. In this study, we developed an eye holder that maintained ocular temperature close to body temperature and allowed the observation of temperature changes during cataract surgery.
Methods :
An aluminum holder was designed to fit porcine eyes and to control ocular temperature. The temperature of the eye was set at approximately 36 degrees Celsius. Changes of intraocular temperature were monitored by a sensor placed inside the vitreous cavity. Cataract surgery consisting of anterior capsulotomy, hydrodissection, phacoemulsification and aspiration (PEA), and IOL insertion was performed.
Results :
During cataract surgery, intraocular temperature varied. The most significant change was observed at the time of OVD injection into the capsular bag after PEA. The temperature dropped 5 degrees Celsius and remained stable during the unfolding of the IOL. The temperature changes were small during anterior capsulotomy, hydrodissection, and PEA.
Conclusions :
The porcine eye holder enabled the observation of temperature changes during cataract surgery under similar conditions as clinical cases. The temperature reduction at the time of IOL implantation may decelerate the IOL unfolding process and cause an axis misalignment in the use of toric IOL.
This abstract was presented at the 2022 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Denver, CO, May 1-4, 2022, and virtually.