Ophthalmology Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Ophthalmology, including details on eye surgery, myopia, cataracts.

A survey about phacoemulsification incision thermal contraction incidence and causal relationships.

Bradley MJ, Olson RJ

Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, John A. Moran Eye Center, and University of Utah Health Sciences Center, 50 North Medical Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.

PURPOSE: To ascertain the rate and related factors of phacoemulsification wound burns. DESIGN: Survey. METHODS: We conducted a survey of 523 ophthalmologists in Utah, Colorado, Montana, South Dakota, and Oregon. RESULTS: One hundred six doctors (20.3%) responded and provided data on 76,581 procedures and 75 wound burns (0.98/1000 procedures). Twenty-one wounds (28%) occurred during early sculpting, and 53 wounds (71%) occurred during fragment removal. Wound burns were found to be associated with surgical approach (P = .003), phacoemulsification unit (P = .007), and unit settings (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Wound burns continue to be a serious complication; however, advances in technology and surgical technique help.

Published 2 January 2006 in Am J Ophthalmol, 141(1): 222-4.
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