M A R C H 2 0 1 9 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 1 0 9
I
n 2006, an out-
break of toxic
anterior seg-
ment syndrome
(TASS) caused
shockwaves in the oph-
thalmology community.
Task forces were
formed, studies were
undertaken, preventa-
tive measures and treat-
ments were developed.
If you were involved in the eye industry back then, you probably
remember the hubbub. In the 13 years since, the panic over TASS has
waned, but there's still much mystery shrouding the rare but potential-
ly dangerous post-operative inflammation that results when a foreign
substance is introduced into the eye during surgery — usually from
contaminants in medications or on surgical instruments. Here's the
latest.
1. The threat remains.
Although there hasn't been a large out-
break since 2006, TASS remains a low-profile threat with cases still
flaring up. Late last summer, 3 Seattle-area surgery centers reported
15 patients that had been diagnosed with TASS following cataract sur-
gery from January to July. Health officials have yet to determine a
cause, but possible culprits include preservatives or toxins in medica-
Joe Paone | Senior Associate Editor
9 Things You May Not Know About TASS
The rare but dangerous condition isn't a problem
for most eye surgeons … until it is. Here's an update.
• STILL A THREAT Even though TASS is rare, all centers that perform eye sur-
geries remain at risk.
