Impact of 0.1% sodium hyaluronate and 0.2% sodium hyaluronate artificial tears on postoperative discomfort following cataract extraction surgery: a comparative study

Abstract Background Recent artificial tear preparations have provided 0.2% concentration of sodium hyaluronate. However, no published data exist on their potential superiority against 0.1% in alleviating dry-eye-disease symptoms in cataract extraction surgery. Methods A total of 180 patients that underwent cataract extraction surgery were randomly divided into 2 groups according to their postoperative regime: Study group (SG) received fixed combination of tobramycin and dexamethasone (FCTD) quid for 3 weeks, and additionally 0.2% sodium hyaluronate provided in the COMOD® device quid for 6 weeks. Control group (CG) received fixed combination of tobramycin and dexamethasone (FCTD) quid for 3 weeks, and additionally 0.1% sodium hyaluronate provided in the COMOD® device quid for 6 weeks. The following indexes were evaluated at 3 postoperative checkpoints: 1) Surface discomfort index (SDI) which was derived by four direct 10-scale Likert-type questions that were addressed to the patient and pertained to: a) foreign body sensation (FBS), b) blinking discomfort (BD), c) stinging sensation (SS), d) tearing sensation (TS), 2) Tear break-up time (TBUT), 3) Schirmer’s test, 4) Central corneal thickness (CCT), and 4) Central Corneal Sensitivity (CCS). Results Both groups showed reduced CCS values at all postoperative examination points; however, SG participants had significantly better CCS (all p < 0.05). SG had better TBUT than CG at the 3rd (p = 0.03) and 6th examination points (p = 0.04). Moreover, SG had better SDI scores at the 3rd (SDI = 9.26 ± 0.55) and 6th weeks (SDI = 9.47 ± 0.48) vs. CG participants (p = 0.03 and p < 0.01, respectively). Conclusion The increased 0.2% sodium hyaluronate concentration in the artificial tears provided in the COMOD® device seems to address dry-eye-disease symptoms better in patients who underwent phacoemulsification surgery than the 0.1% concentration. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03705949 Oct 15, 2018, retrospectively registered

Cataract Surgery during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Insights from a Greek Tertiary Hospital

Background: COVID-19 has affected everyday clinical practice, having an impact on the quality of healthcare provided, even in eye clinic departments. The aim of this study is to evaluate the consequences of this worldwide pandemic on cataract surgery in a Greek tertiary university hospital. Methods: A total of 805 patients were included in this study. The number of cataract surgeries (CS), the type, the unilateral or bilateral appearance as well as the stage of cataract were recorded for the months between January and June 2019 (pre-COVID period) and compared with the same period in 2021 (during the pandemic outbreak) in the Department of Ophthalmology of Thessaloniki General Hospital G. Papanikolaou. Results: A significant reduction in the number of CS as well as a significant increase in advanced and/or bilateral cataracts in 2021 compared to the pre-COVID period were observed. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected equally the value of ophthalmic interventions as well as the patients&rsquo; quality of life, being a powerful reminder of the significant physical and psychological benefits of CS, especially for older adults and patients with comorbidities