Eyeworld Daily News

EW SHOW DAILY 41 ASCRS•ASOA SYMPOSIUM & CONGRESS, BOSTON 2014 Meeting Reporter O n Monday morning, David Chang, MD, will lead a symposium of phaco education experts on optimizing phaco machine settings for standard and complex cataract cases. The faculty includes Bonnie Henderson, MD, Kenneth Cohen, MD, and Lisa Park, MD, and the symposium is titled "Phaco Fundamentals: Device Settings and Best Practices for Routine to Complex Phacoemulsifi- cation." Like the other members of the ASCRS Phaco Fundamentals Classroom editorial board, these physicians are recognized as top resident phaco educators in the country. Optimizing machine settings is an important factor in successful cataract surgery, but it is often overlooked or underemphasized in phaco education. This program will highlight key principles for optimiz- ing fluidics and power modulation for different stages of nuclear removal. The faculty will come together to give a series of presenta- tions and video case discussions designed to overview phaco settings and techniques for routine to complex cataract surgeries. The symposium is designed to maximize key takeaways for the in- tended audience: residents, fellows, and those physicians who are inter- ested in optimizing their phaco set- tings and evolving their technique for both routine and complex case management. The overall goal is to increase physician confidence through understanding the science behind phacodynamics and the alteration and adjustment of phaco settings. All major phaco machines will be discussed throughout the program. The first section will include a slide overview on the principles of phacodynamics, with the faculty providing an overview of principles that are universally important to understand. Topics will include peri- staltic and Venturi pumps and flows, vacuums, and power modulation throughout surgery. Drs. Henderson, Cohen, and Park will also provide setting recommendations based on each of the phaco platforms. Following a discussion of phaco- dynamics, the faculty will present videos of standard cataract cases demonstrating these settings and discuss recommendations of how to alter the parameters of each platform to take advantage of its features for routine cases. The final portion of the symposium will be dedicated to common complex case management, with video case presentation and discussion to help illustrate phaco adjustments. The goal of this section will be to demonstrate how modifying settings can improve success with common complicated cases, such as soft lenses, dense nuclei, small pupils and weak zonules. In addition to outstanding live content and discussion, a special handout has been developed for all attendees. This will include phaco setting recommendations from the faculty, as well as a comprehensive chapter from Dr. Chang's Phaco Chop textbook on phacodynamics. These materials are designed specifically for residents, fellows, and surgeons interested in evolving their phaco technique, as take-home and appli- cable learning resources. Each resident and fellow attend- ing the program will be entered into a drawing to receive one of 10 full textbooks. Another unique component of this symposium is the Q&A that will take place live as well as after the program. Every question submitted at this program is guaranteed to be answered by the faculty either from the podium or via email shortly after the symposium, directly from one of the expert faculty members. This EyeWorld CME symposium will take place in the EyeWorld Theater (Hall c) on Monday morn- ing, with a 6:00 a.m. registration and breakfast and a 6:30 a.m. start time for the one-hour symposium. This program is supported by an unrestricted grant from Alcon and Bausch + Lomb. Onsite registration is available. EW CME symposium targets physicians interested in evolving phaco techniques by Erin Schallhorn O n Monday, during a CME Education symposium to be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the EyeWorld Theater (Hall C), a panel of experts will address the role of the tear film in visual outcomes following refractive cataract surgery. All ASCRS attendees are welcome to attend, and a com- plementary lunch will be provided. "We have to keep in mind that the tear film is the eye's first and most important refractive interface," said panelist Marjan Farid, MD, associate professor, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, the University of California-Irvine. Dr. Farid will explain how the cornea and tear film together make up two-thirds of the eye's total optical power. "Uniform changes in thickness have little effect on corneal power, but if the tear film becomes irregular, much larger variations in optical power can occur and may induce significant aberrations and symptoms of diplopia, starbursts, glare, and shadowing," she said. In fact, "Dry eye and tear film problems can then have a cascading effect on refractive cataract surgery," said panelist Cynthia Matossian, MD, Matossian Eye Associates. Panel to address impact of tear film and dry eye on cataract surgery The 2013 ASCRS Clinical Survey showed that most respondents continue to rely on tear film breakup time, Schirmer's test, and corneal or conjunctival staining to screen patients for dry eye. continued on page 43

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