Case study: Cataract surgery complications

History

This patient presented having undergone recent right cataract surgery. She had suffered post-operative complications, having developed high intraocular pressures due to retained viscoelastic. Viscoelastics, also referred to as ophthalmic visco-surgical devices (or OVDs) are viscous substances that are introduced into the eye during phacoemulsification and help to maintain anterior chamber depth and protect the corneal endothelium. Once the first incision is made into the eye, it has a tendency to collapse as the aqueous leaks out. The larger the incision, the greater the propensity for the eye to collapse and the greater the risk to the patient. By replacing the aqueous with a thicker viscoelastic, surgeons can prevent the collapse of the eye.