EyeWorld is the official news magazine of the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery.
Issue link: https://digital.eyeworld.org/i/274531
E W RETINA 82 February 2014 by Ellen Stodola EyeWorld Staff Writer Tips for cataract surgery from a retina surgeon W hen it comes to han- dling certain condi- tions, diseases, and surgeries, surgeons in different specialties may have different approaches. One o f the most common ophthalmic surgeries, a cataract operation, in- volves considering a number of fac- tors to decide if and how to proceed with the surgery. Richard S. Kaiser, MD, associate clinical professor, Jefferson Medical School, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital; part- ner in Mid Atlantic Retina; and co- d irector of the retina fellowship, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, discussed cataract operations from the perspective of a vitreoretinal surgeon. He talked about when the surgery may not be beneficial and specific factors that must be considered in the overall cataract operation. What to do before cataract surgery "To begin with, a good macula exam is essential," Dr. Kaiser said. Al- though he said that the presence of macular pathology does not imme- diately rule out the benefits of cataract surgery for a patient, it still must be evaluated to estimate the potential benefits from cataract surgery. "First and foremost, under- standing the visual potential of the eye is key." M any patients undergoing cataract surgery today will have associ- ated retinal comorbidities. Perhaps the greatest challenge for anterior segment surgeons is providing realistic p ostop expectations for their patients. In addition, with the advent of multifocal lens technology and their increasing use, careful preop examination of the retina is an important tool in assisting the anterior surgeon in meeting that challenge. In this "Retina consultation corner," Richard Kaiser, MD, discusses the preop retina exam and tips from a retina perspective on the surgical management of cataract patients with retinal comorbidities. Keith A. Warren, MD, Retina Clinical Committee Patient with an epiretinal membrane with vitreomacular traction. By performing an OCT preoperatively, a surgeon may be better able to identify macular pathology before cataract surgery. Source: Richard Kaiser, MD SPECIAL ASCRS•ASOA GOVERNMENT RELATIONS SESSION U.S. SENATOR RAND PAUL, MD (R-KY) FRIDAY, APRIL 25 5:00–6:00 PM BOSTON CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTER SYMPOSIUM & CONGRESS 2014 APRIL 25–29 B O S T O N R etina consultation corner 82-83 Retina_EW February 2014-DL2_Layout 1 1/30/14 11:09 AM Page 82