ASCRS 2004 Symposium and Congress
ASCRS 2004 Symposium and Congress
The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) held its annual meeting in San Diego, California, from May 1-5, 2004. Improved accuracy and quality of refractive results as well as increased safety in various anterior segment procedures were highlighted in the papers presented at the meeting. The rapid pace of technological advancement driven by high patient expectations has led to these better and safer surgical outcomes.
One of the most useful and interesting parts of the opening session was the presentation of the practice pattern survey results. It is always informative to learn how an individual ophthalmologist's style of practice compares with the field as a whole.
According to the survey, topical anesthesia is now the predominant method of anesthesia for cataract surgery. This preference contrasts with just a few years ago when retrobulbar anesthesia was the anesthesia of choice, used by more than 50% of respondents. Intracameral lidocaine is used by approximately half of those surveyed who use topical anesthesia. In addition, clear corneal incisions were used by almost 75% of those responding to the survey -- compared with only 11% in 1995. The most popular method for phacoemulsification is still the 4 quadrant divide-and-conquer technique; chopping followed as the next most common method. Over the past few years, chopping has become more popular and will likely continue to increase in popularity. Acrylic lenses were thought to be the "best optic material" by the majority of members in this year's survey.
The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) held its annual meeting in San Diego, California, from May 1-5, 2004. Improved accuracy and quality of refractive results as well as increased safety in various anterior segment procedures were highlighted in the papers presented at the meeting. The rapid pace of technological advancement driven by high patient expectations has led to these better and safer surgical outcomes.
One of the most useful and interesting parts of the opening session was the presentation of the practice pattern survey results. It is always informative to learn how an individual ophthalmologist's style of practice compares with the field as a whole.
According to the survey, topical anesthesia is now the predominant method of anesthesia for cataract surgery. This preference contrasts with just a few years ago when retrobulbar anesthesia was the anesthesia of choice, used by more than 50% of respondents. Intracameral lidocaine is used by approximately half of those surveyed who use topical anesthesia. In addition, clear corneal incisions were used by almost 75% of those responding to the survey -- compared with only 11% in 1995. The most popular method for phacoemulsification is still the 4 quadrant divide-and-conquer technique; chopping followed as the next most common method. Over the past few years, chopping has become more popular and will likely continue to increase in popularity. Acrylic lenses were thought to be the "best optic material" by the majority of members in this year's survey.
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