EyeWorld Asia-Pacific June 2014 Issue

62 EWAP NEWS & OPINION June 2014 CSCRS offers clear lens extraction overview by Erin L. Boyle EyeWorld Editor A symposium on clear lens extraction at the 2013 ESCRS Congress gave attendees expert opinion across the globe F our major cataract and refractive societies from around the world—the European Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS), American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), Asia-Pacific Association of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons (APACRS), and Latin American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery (LASCRS)—hosted a combined society symposium—the Combined Symposium of Cataract & Refractive Societies (CSCRS)— that shared ideas on “Clear lens extraction: Have we lost our way?” At the symposium, held at the 2013 ESCRS Congress, physicians gave presentations on the topic on behalf of each society. Presenters included co-moderators Graham Barrett, MD , Perth, Australia, from APACRS, who opened the symposium with the presentation “Clear lens extraction for presbyopia: Have we gone mad?” and Cesar C. Carriazo, MD , Barranquilla, Colombia, from LASCRS, who gave an overview of the “TIP-CHOP” technique in “Improving techniques and results (TIP-CHOP).” The other presenters were Steven C. Schallhorn, MD , San Diego, Calif., U.S. who gave the talk “Clear lens extraction: Is it plain greed?” for ASCRS, and Leonie Los, MD , Groningen, the Netherlands, who discussed “In the long-term: PCO, YAG, and retinal detachment” for ESCRS. Following a discussion, Ioannis Pallikaris, MD , Crete, Greece, presented “Clear lens extraction in young patients: Indications and contraindications” for ESCRS; Raymond Applegate, MD , Houston, presented “Comparing image quality of a variety of IOL designs with that of phakic young eyes that can still accommodate” for ASCRS; and Nick Mamalis, MD, Salt Lake City, presented “How many multifocal IOLs are explanted and why?” for ASCRS. Another discussion was followed by Luis Izquierdo, MD , Lima, Peru, who presented “Clear lens extraction/refractive lens exchange: is there a difference?” for LASCRS; and Keiki Mehta, MD , Mumbai, India, who presented “Premium IOLs and premium cataract surgery are a misnomer” for APACRS as the final talk of the symposium. Role of surgeon Peter Barry, MD , Dublin, Ireland, ESCRS president, who chaired the symposium, asked Dr. Schallhorn, former director, cornea service and refractive surgery, Naval Medical Center, San Diego, Calif., U.S., what role the surgeon and cataract play in the clear lens extraction environment, especially in the light of work done by ESCRS and ASCRS in this field. Dr. Schallhorn concluded that the clear lens extraction procedure has low risk of threatening vision with high efficacy and patient satisfaction. “It is a credit to these societies that we have the technology, skills, understanding, and acceptance to safely place intraocular lenses in eyes to the great benefit of mankind. It wasn’t long ago that this was viewed with disdain,” Dr. Schallhorn said. “So where are we going in the future? That is easy, technology only goes in one direction, forward. We will have even more incredible technology available Levels of patient satisfaction after clear lens extraction. Data is based on a study conducted at Optical Express comprising 14,726 eyes of 7,692 consecutive patients who underwent a CLE to reduce on spectacles/contact lenses in a presbyopic population. Source: Steven C. Schallhorn, MD