Performing intra-ocular surgery in a deep set eye is challenging because the access is limited. In the case shown here, the patient has age-related loss of orbital fat as well as a prominent brow, both of which cause the eye to be set deeply into the orbit.
Access is a challenge and limits the view and the ability to maneuver instruments within the eye. There are few things we can do to improve the situation:
- Sitting temporally and making the phaco incision at the temporal limbus will allow much better access to the anterior chamber as well as better positioning of the instruments.
- Though I prefer topical anesthesia for the vast majority of cataract surgeries, this is a case which could benefit from a retro-bulbar anesthetic injection. The addition of 5 cc or more of anesthetic to the retro-bulbar space will bring the globe forward and induce a mild, temporary proptosis.
- Choose a phaco method such as phaco flip or flip-and-chop, which brings the nucleus out of the capsular bag. This allows the surgeon to work at the iris plane. Doing a traditional in-the-bag chop or divide-and-conquer technique will necessitate having instruments even deeper within the eye.
Click below to see my approach of cataract surgery in a deep set eye:
I agree with bringing the lens up out of the capsule to avoid posterior capsule pitfalls. Also protecting the cornea is key. I enjoy this technique as a Surgical assistant. 👍
Thanks for the good feedback
Much lower CDE to times
as well.
Doctor I recently operated upon a patient who had severely deep set eyes. Fluid collected in the palpebral fissures every time I put the phaco or IA probe inside.
But in ur case I don’t see such thing
Draping is important and also try to give a retro bulbar block to increase orbital volume and bring the globe forward
Did you try using a wick drain? We have found that very helpful in some cases.
Sure. Great idea. That works well too.
dear sir any special techniques for patients with frontal bossing;