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Survey of UKISCRS members regarding dropless cataract surgery – current practice and future potential

Eye (2025)Cite this article

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Eye drops have traditionally been used in the postoperative management of cataract surgery, primarily topical antibiotics to prevent endophthalmitis and corticosteroids with/without non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents to control inflammation and reduce the risk of cystoid macular oedema (CMO). However, the use of topical therapy is often limited by patient adherence issues and growing environmental concerns regarding plastic waste and medication residues. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in ‘dropless’ cataract surgery (DCS) – an innovative approach in which all required medications are delivered at the time of surgery, thereby potentially eliminating or substantially reducing the need for postoperative eye drops.

An increasing number of ophthalmologists worldwide have begun to explore or implement some form of DCS, although there remains no consensus on an optimal protocol. Many surgeons remain uncertain or apprehensive about adopting this approach, largely due to variability in evidence and the absence of standardised national guidance. To provide insight into current national practice, members of the UK & Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (UKISCRS) were invited to complete an online survey via an electronic link between May and July 2025 regarding their preferred postoperative management strategies for routine cataract surgery.

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Fig. 1: Survey responses to whether postoperative antibiotics, perioperative steroids and postoperative steroids were given in routine cataract surgery, divided by place of practice.

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Author notes

  1. These authors contributed equally: Rohan Hussain, David Lockington, Romesh Angunawela, Bita Manzouri.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK

    Rohan Hussain

  2. Tennent Institute of Ophthalmology, Gartnavel General Hospital, 1053 Great Western Road, Glasgow, G12 0YN, UK

    David Lockington

  3. OCL Vision, London, UK

    Romesh Angunawela

  4. Queen’s Hospital, Rom Valley Way, Romford Essex, RM7 0AG, UK

    Bita Manzouri

Authors
  1. Rohan Hussain
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  2. David Lockington
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  3. Romesh Angunawela
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  4. Bita Manzouri
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Correspondence to Bita Manzouri.

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Hussain, R., Lockington, D., Angunawela, R. et al. Survey of UKISCRS members regarding dropless cataract surgery – current practice and future potential. Eye (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-025-04186-2

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