Controversies, consensuses and guidelines on modern cataract surgery by the academy of Asia-Pacific professors of ophthalmology (AAPPO)

Phacoemulsification has revolutionized cataract surgery since its introduction by Charles Kelman in 1967, becoming the gold standard for cataract removal in most parts of the world. Despite its widespread adoption and high success rates, there exist controversies within the ophthalmic community regarding various aspects of the procedure. An international panel comprising 25 experts from 18 countries/territories was established by the Academy of Asia-Pacific Professors of Ophthalmology (AAPPO) to work on this consensus project. A total of 15 sections with 61 consensus statements were evaluated by the panel. Femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery was not considered better than Phaco. An interferometer was considered essential for measuring the ocular parameters, and the need to choose an appropriate intraocular lens (IOL) formula was stressed. When considering multifocal IOLs, an assessment of the patient's personality profile, and a thorough discussion of the pros and cons of the choice before surgery was essential. Proper informed consent was also essential. The need to address complications like TASS promptly including a reassessment of operating rooms protocols was stressed. Finally, there was general agreement that manual surgeries have a significant role to play in eyes with large, dense nuclei and in populations where low-cost, high-volume surgery was necessary. Manual but sutureless approach was preferred where appropriate. Since there was agreement on about 60 % of the 61 consensus statements, it reflected that there were variations in the real-world practice. Further studies are warranted and a follow-up consensus exercise after more information is available is worth considering.

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Publication Details

Journal
Asia-Pacific Journal of Ophthalmology
Published
2025-07-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apjo.2025.100224
Citations
8
Primary Topic
Intraocular Surgery and Lenses
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
13.66

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article

Controversies, consensuses and guidelines on modern cataract surgery by the academy of Asia-Pacific professors of ophthalmology (AAPPO)

Anders Behndig, Gede Pardianto, Sanduk Ruit, Kevin M. Miller et al.
8 citations
Asia-Pacific Journal of Ophthalmology
Intraocular Surgery and Lenses
13.66
article

Controversies, consensuses and guidelines on modern cataract surgery by the academy of Asia-Pacific professors of ophthalmology (AAPPO)

Anders Behndig, Gede Pardianto, Sanduk Ruit, Kevin M. Miller, Alvin Lerrmann Young, Nicolaas J. Reus, Thomas Kohnen, Youngsub Eom, Francis S. Mah, Rohit Khanna, Kjell Gunnar Gundersen, Ke Zheng, Mayank Ambarish Nanavaty, Tetsuro Oshika, Sorcha Ní Dhubhghaill, David F. Chang, Jorge L. Alió, Mingzhi Zhang, Sanjeev P. Srinivas, Rengaraj Venkatesh, Namrata Sharma, Srinivas K. Rao, Rudy M.M.A. Nuijts, Oliver Findl, Alex H. Fan
article en
8 citations

Abstract

Phacoemulsification has revolutionized cataract surgery since its introduction by Charles Kelman in 1967, becoming the gold standard for cataract removal in most parts of the world. Despite its widespread adoption and high success rates, there exist controversies within the ophthalmic community regarding various aspects of the procedure. An international panel comprising 25 experts from 18 countries/territories was established by the Academy of Asia-Pacific Professors of Ophthalmology (AAPPO) to work on this consensus project. A total of 15 sections with 61 consensus statements were evaluated by the panel. Femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery was not considered better than Phaco. An interferometer was considered essential for measuring the ocular parameters, and the need to choose an appropriate intraocular lens (IOL) formula was stressed. When considering multifocal IOLs, an assessment of the patient's personality profile, and a thorough discussion of the pros and cons of the choice before surgery was essential. Proper informed consent was also essential. The need to address complications like TASS promptly including a reassessment of operating rooms protocols was stressed. Finally, there was general agreement that manual surgeries have a significant role to play in eyes with large, dense nuclei and in populations where low-cost, high-volume surgery was necessary. Manual but sutureless approach was preferred where appropriate. Since there was agreement on about 60 % of the 61 consensus statements, it reflected that there were variations in the real-world practice. Further studies are warranted and a follow-up consensus exercise after more information is available is worth considering.

Asia-Pacific Journal of OphthalmologyVol. 14(4)
Goethe University Frankfurt (DE), Scripps Health (US), University of Tsukuba (JP), Aravind Eye Hospital (IN), Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology (NP), Privatsykehuset Haugesund (NO), Maastricht University (NL), University Hospital of Umeå (SE), Hanusch Hospital (AT), Amphia Ziekenhuis (NL), Vienna Institute for Research in Ocular Surgery (AT), Scripps Clinic (US), Vasan Eye Care Hospital (IN), He Eye Hospital (CN), Alto Neuroscience (United States) (US), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (IN)
Lam Research, Chinese University of Hong Kong
Openalex Percentile: Top 1%
Intraocular Surgery and Lenses
13.66
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