Cataracts in the Adult Eye
HIGHLIGHTED FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CARE
Refractive cataract surgery has the potential to reduce a patient’s dependence on eyeglasses and contact lenses for distance, intermediate, and near vision.
Intraocular lens technologies and surgical approaches to implanting lenses continue to improve.
Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) increases the circularity and centration of the capsulorrhexis and reduces the amount of ultrasonic energy required to remove a cataract. However, the technology may not yet be cost-effective, and the overall risk profile has not yet been shown to be superior to that of standard phacoemulsification.
The use of topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is controversial, with evidence suggesting that NSAIDS only be used for the prevention of cystoid macular edema (CME) in patients with diabetic retinopathy or other high-risk ocular comorbidities.
Increasing evidence demonstrates that intracameral antibiotics reduce the risk of postoperative bacterial endophthalmitis.
Surgeons should recognize and prepare to manage high-risk characteristics that may complicate cataract surgery. New risks may become apparent as new technologies come to market. One example is capsular damage with rapid development of a complicated cataract associated with intravitreal injections.
Toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS) may be confused with infectious endophthalmitis. However, TASS has an earlier onset, is associated with limbus-to-limbus corneal edema, and responds to corticosteroids.
(, , )Recommendation Grading
Overview
Title
Cataracts in the Adult Eye
Authoring Organization
American Academy of Ophthalmology
Publication Month/Year
November 11, 2021
Last Updated Month/Year
April 2, 2024
Supplemental Implementation Tools
Document Type
Guideline
External Publication Status
Published
Country of Publication
US
Inclusion Criteria
Female, Male, Adult, Older adult
Health Care Settings
Ambulatory, Outpatient
Intended Users
Optometrist, nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant
Scope
Prevention, Management
Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)
D002386 - Cataract
Keywords
cataract, eye exam, blurred vision, eye disease, vision loss
Source Citation
Kevin M. Miller, Thomas A. Oetting, James P. Tweeten, Kristin Carter, Bryan S. Lee, Shawn R. Lin, Afshan A. Nanji, Neal H. Shorstein, David C. Musch, Cataract in the Adult Eye Preferred Practice Pattern, Ophthalmology, 2021, ISSN 0161-6420,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2021.10.006.