title: Lightless cataract surgery using a near-infrared operating microscope.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the near-infrared (NIR) operating microscopy (NIOM) system using the NIR wavelength as the illumination source and to evaluate the feasibility of this system for lightless cataract surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  HenAm Kim Eye Center, Haenam-Gun, South Korea.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this noncomparative interventional case series, cataract surgery was performed in 4 patients with bilateral cataract using the NIOM system in 1 eye and conventional microscopy in the fellow eye. The primary components of the system include an optical filter, a stereoscopic camera, head-mounted displays, and a recording system. This system uses invisible NIR (wavelength 850 to 1300 nm) illumination to facilitate cataract surgery without light. The differences between the NIOM system and conventional microscopy during cataract surgery were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The NIOM system provided excellent 3-dimensional viewing in real time. The image resolution was sufficient while performing all steps of cataract surgery. Immediately postoperatively and at 10 and 30 minutes and 1 hour, the visual acuity was better in the 4 eyes in which the NIOM system was used than in the 4 eyes in which conventional microscopy was used. However, using the NIOM system required good surgical skill.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lightless cataract surgery using the NIOM system seems useful for obtaining good visual acuity immediately postoperatively. The system may also reduce the incidence of light-induced retinal toxicity and the need for mydriatic administration and be a good educational tool.
authors.affiliation: HenAm Kim Eye Center, Haenam-Gun, Jeon-Nam, South Korea. nunsusul@yahoo.co.kr
authors.forename: Bong-Hyun
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007259:Infrared Rays; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology