have a history of refractive surgery, but doesn't rely on the technology
when deciding on the optimal lens implant power — she instead uses
the readings as a tiebreaker if she's deciding between 2 diopters. Part
of her hesitancy is based on the findings of a study she co-authored
that found intraoperative wavefront aberrometry failed to achieve
±0.5 diopters of emmetropia in more than half of cases in which it
was used. As the technology improves, Dr. Galor believes it will pro-
vide more clinical benefit.
Surgical microscopes with integrated IOL alignment displays are
also helping surgeons place lens implants more precisely. Dr. Krueger
says the technology incorporates a mechanism of biometry into
microscope optics to provide surgeons with real-time images of
implant positioning, which is especially important when working with
toric IOLs. The lenses are extremely sensitive to misalignment and
rotation, which can occur due to cyclotorsion when the patient is
supine, so it's critical to place them in the right axis or meridian.
"That's what these displays are best designed to do," says Dr.
Krueger. "They make alignment of the lens as pristine as possible in
order to drive optimal refractive results."
Dr. Galor says she really likes using the alignment displays, which
employ iris registration technology and account for cylcotorsion.
"Toric lenses are so susceptible to error — 10 degrees of rotation
reduces the cylindrical power of the lenses by approximately 30% —
so anything we can use to help place the implants properly makes a
big difference in refractive outcomes."
Will patients seek your facility out?
With cataract surgery technology advancing so quickly, today's
cataract patient will seek out a surgeon who has access to the most
advanced techniques. Does that describe your facility?
OSM
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