"HEAT OF MY CANDLE SHOW ME THE WAY" INTRACAMERAL ILLUMINATOR-ASSISTED CATARACT SURGERY COMBINED WITH 23-GAUGE VITRECTOMY IN EYES WITH POOR RED REFLEX

To evaluate the efficacy of intracameral illuminator-assisted cataract surgery combined with 23-gauge vitrectomy in eyes without red reflex

Ophthalmology department at HASSAN II university hospital, SIDI MOHAMED BEN ABDELLAH university Fez Morocco

The surgeon used intracameral lighting for visualization during combined cataract surgery and 23-gauge vitrectomy and as a second instrument for anterior chamber maneuvers. The main criteria for use were poor red reflex situations.

31 consecutive patients (31 eyes) with senile cataract underwent phacoemulsification enhanced with a 23-G endoillumination probe. Mean age of the patients was 62,2 years (Range 55 – 82 years). Anterior segment surgery was successfully performed in all patients. All stages of anterior segment surgeries took place without complications (100%); no posterior capsular rupture or disinsertion of the capsular bag.

Surgeons report better intraoperative three-dimensional visual control (92 %) with visibility of details of the nuclei, anterior and posterior capsular bag (100%)

A learning curve proved to be rapid, requiring a change of habits especially in intraoperative visual control and the endoillumination which must follow the instrument during the gesture, the replacement of the sinsky by endoillumination in the rotation and the cracking of the nucleus.

Lateral endoillumination created an enhanced 3D effect and improved the depth perception of lens intraoperatively without the need for a red reflex