Abstract
Purpose: This study reports the incidence of Toxic Anterior Segment Syndrome (TASS) in simultaneous bilateral cataract surgery (SBCS) and evaluates its effectiveness as distance visual acuity and postoperative refraction.
Methods: Observational, cross-sectional, descriptive, and retrospective study. The study included patients diagnosed with bilateral cataracts who underwent SBCS between January 2018 and April 2020 in the Ophthalmology Unit, Hospital de Especialidades Puerta de Hierro Norte, Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico. Those with unilateral cataracts or who did not want to undergo bilateral surgery were excluded. The effectiveness of the procedure was evaluated based on postoperative visual acuity and final refraction four weeks after surgery.
Results: The study evaluated 152 eyes from 76 patients who underwent SBCS at a single center. Two cases of TASS were reported, one moderate and one mild, both unilateral and successfully treated medically. Visual outcomes were favorable in all cases and we did not have any refractive surprises.
Conclusion: The study identified only two cases of TASS, aligning with the literature that classifies SBCS as effective and safe. It reinforces the idea of performing this surgery if the patient wishes or the context warrants it, emphasizing that this procedure is no longer seen as high-risk for the patient therefore it can be considered a viable and safe option in the management of bilateral cataracts offering the same refractive results as delayed sequential bilateral cataract surgery (DSBCS).