Postoperative retinal ischemia with self-sealing cataract surgery incisions.
OBJECTIVE
To report the potential for retinal ischemia caused by high intraocular pressure and to suggest a simple test for this condition.


METHODS
We measured the intraocular pressure and directly examined the optic nerve head in four eyes of four patients at the conclusion of cataract surgery.


RESULTS
With intraocular pressure above 40 mm Hg, elderly patients may abruptly lose the ability to perceive microscope illumination. The central retinal artery pulsated at these pressures. Light perception returned immediately upon reduction of intraocular pressure.


CONCLUSIONS
Testing for light perception at the conclusion of surgery can indicate retinal ischemia with loss of light perception, which may occur during sealing of the cataract surgical wound.
Steinert
R F
RF
Center for Eye Research, Boston, MA 02114, USA. rfsteinert@aol.com
Oster
J G
JG
Francis
J M
JM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D007511:Ischemia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008027:Light; D012171:Retinal Vessels; D014785:Vision, Ocular