Laying the Foundation for Success in Cataract Surgery with State-of-the-Art Technology, Part 1
Preparing for surgical successNumerous factors contribute to success in cataract surgery and influence the experience for patients, surgeons, and their surgical team. In this four-part interactive program, leading cataract surgeons provide insights on strategies for optimizing outcomes in cataract surgery. It begins with tips for a proper preoperative evaluation that will help surgeons plan the procedure, minimize the risk of intraoperative complications, and achieve the desired visual results. The rest of the program is devoted to developments in technology that improve safety, efficacy, and efficiency.
Part 1: Preparing for surgical success
New technologies bring opportunity for improving outcomes in cataract surgery. Yet, surgical success still hinges on adherence to core principles for planning the case, performing the procedure, and following the patient postoperatively.
Proper planning is the foundation for safe and efficient surgery, even in what seem to be routine cases, and it is of paramount importance when operating on eyes representing more complex situations. A comprehensive diagnostic evaluation allows surgeons to prepare for a smooth procedure and helps to minimize the risk of complications. Intraoperatively, advanced features found on modern phacoemulsification equipment enhance surgical safety. Regardless of the technology, however, no machine can prevent all complications. Achieving good outcomes still depends on surgeon skill and expertise (Figure 1).