Retained viscoelastic after cataract surgery is the most common reason why there is an elevation of the intra-ocular pressure (IOP) in the immediate post-op period. This can last from between 1 day to 1 week after the cataract surgery and it is different from steroid-inducted pressure spikes which tend to happen 10 days to 2 weeks after surgery.
This is a complete cataract case, where we show the surgery from the start to the finish. If you just want to see the part about the retained OVD, skip to just after the IOL insertion. However, there is far more learning to be gleaned from watching the entire video, especially since it is less than 6 minutes in length. The key is using a high flow rate and high vacuum level with the I/A hand-piece at the end of the surgery. I typically use a flow rate of 60 cc/min and a vacuum level of at least 500 mmHg. Finally, at the end of the case, I use the angle-sweep technique that we have previously featured here. This video explains why the angle opposite the paracentesis tends to harbor the most residual viscoelastic.
Click below to learn form this complete cataract case and avoid those IOP spikes:
