Manual cataract extraction via a subconjunctival limbus oblique incision for mature cataracts.
OBJECTIVE
To report the technique and outcomes of sutureless manual cataract extraction via a subconjunctival limbus oblique incision for mature cataracts.


METHODS
This retrospective study comprised of 112 eyes of 83 patients with mature cataract who all had manual cataract extraction via a subconjunctival limbus oblique incision. A transconjunctival tunnel is fashioned with a 3.0 mm keratome, 0.5 mm behind the limbal vascular arcades. A limbal tunnel, with a transverse extent of 9 mm in the cornea and 7.0 mm in the limbus, is created beneath the conjunctival/Tenon's tissue using an angled bevel-up crescent blade. Outcome measures included visual acuity, intraoperative complications, surgically induced astigmatism, endothelial cell loss rate and surgery time.


RESULTS
Self-sealing wound was achieved in 112 eyes (98.2%). The nucleus was delivered in whole in 108 eyes (96.4%). Intraoperative complications included hyphema in 3 eyes (2.7%), iridodialysis in 2 eyes 1.8%), posterior capsular rupture and zonular dialysis in 2 eyes (1.8%). At the 3-month follow-up, 91% patients achieved a best-corrected visual acuity of 20/20 or better, the mean of surgically induced astigmatism was -0.62 ± 0.41 Diopters and endothelial cell loss was 4.2%. Average surgical time was 3.75 min per case.


CONCLUSIONS
This subconjunctival limbus oblique incision has the potential to serve as safe and effective technique for mature cataracts.
J
J
Yang
Jiangxi Eye Center, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China.
P
P
Lai
D
D
Wu
Z
Z
Long
D000368:Aged; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D016850:Limbus Corneae / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity