There is growing evidence that the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, could spread through aerosols ‒ tiny droplets that can remain suspended in the air for hours in closed spaces. Aerosols generated during surgeries and out-patient procedures can be risky to healthcare workers.
To investigate how aerosols are generated during routine eye procedures, doctors at Narayana Nethralaya, an eye hospital in Bengaluru, have collaborated with researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). They used high-speed imaging and aerodynamic models to visualise the generation of droplets during procedures such as cataract and LASIK surgeries.
High speed imaging setup. (IMAGE CREDITS:Â Narayana Nethralaya Foundation)
“We identified the size of the droplets, and also calculated the speed and distance to which they travel,” says Saptarshi Basu, Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, IISc, and co-author of two papers published in the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. The studies showed that during most procedures, aerosols are not generated, he adds.
The first study focused on phacoemulsification, a type of cataract surgery where an ultrasonic needle is used to break up the cataract. The fluids are then suctioned out and the eye is rehydrated with a balanced salt solution. The needle and a sleeve carrying the salt solution are usually combined into a single disposable probe. In the study ‒ conducted during surgeries on humans and animal eyes in a closed chamber ‒ the researchers employed a technique called shadowgraphy, which uses a light source such as pulsed laser or LED to cast shadows of fast-moving droplets onto the sensor of a high speed camera.
phacoemulsification.( IMAGE CREDITS:Â Narayana Nethralaya Foundation)
As long as the probe was restricted to the inner layer of the eye called anterior chamber – a protocol normally followed – no aerosols were generated. Aerosols were formed only when the probe was exposed to the salt solution on the eye’s outer surface called cornea. Therefore, replacing the salt solution with more gelatinous or viscous materials can prevent fluid spurting and aerosol generation, the researchers say.
The second study investigated aerosol generation during LASIK surgery, performed to correct near- or far-sightedness. It uses an oscillating blade to cut and lift a thin flap from the cornea’s top layer to reshape the inner layer called stroma. The researchers found that, as the blade cut through to the stroma, some droplets were generated, likely due to the balanced salt solution used as a lubricant prior to the procedure. However, most of the droplets were found to be large in size (>90 micrometers) and therefore likely to settle down fast, reducing the risk that they will become aerosolised. Because the droplets were found to travel up to 1.8 m in a simulated surgery setting, adequate precautions and protective equipment should be adopted by doctors, the researchers suggest.
microkeratome for LASIK. (IMAGE CREDITS:Â Narayana Nethralaya Foundation)
Studies on other eye procedures such as glaucoma screening have also been carried out, and will be published shortly, says Basu.
Based on these findings, the hospital has identified and implemented specific safety protocols, says corresponding author Abhijit Sinha Roy, Chief Scientist at Narayana Nethralaya Foundation. It has also put together videos to educate patients, medical staff and the general public, to make them feel more at ease about resuming routine procedures.
“Because of COVID-19, a lot of other surgical procedures are getting delayed. Our concern is that patients should not end up compromising their vision just because they delayed getting the appropriate healthcare they needed. They should feel at ease after seeing these robust studies and safety measures implemented in our eye clinics,” he says.
Similar studies are also planned for orthopaedic and heart surgeries, says Basu.
REFERENCE:
Shetty, Naren & Kaweri, Luci & Khamar, Pooja & Balakrishnan, Nikhil & Rasheed, Abdur & Kabi, Prasenjit & Basu, Saptarshi & Shetty, Rohit & Nuijts, Rudy & Sinha Roy, Abhijit (2020). Propensity and quantification of aerosol and droplet creation during phacoemulsification with high-speed shadowgraphy amidst COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. Published ahead of print. doi: 10.1097/j.jcrs.0000000000000289. (pdf)
Khamar, Pooja & Shetty, Rohit & Balakrishnan, Nikhil & Kabi, Prasenjit & Roy, Durbar & Basu, Saptarshi & Sinha Roy, Abhijit (2020). Quantitative shadowgraphy of aerosol and droplet spread during oscillatory motion of the microkeratome amidst COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. (pdf)
VIDEO LINKS:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHH2H8DTI0Q&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFQjpuf7EdE&feature=youtu.be
CONTACT:
Abhijit Sinha Roy
Chief Scientist, IBMS labs,
Narayana Nethralaya Foundation,
Bangalore, India – 560099
Email:Â asroy@narayananethralaya.com
Saptarshi Basu
Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
Bangalore, India – 560012
Email: saptarshibasukol@gmail.com, sbasu@iisc.ac.in
Lead team members from Prof. Basu’s lab: Dr. Prasenjit Kabi and Dr. Khushboo Pandey
NOTEÂ TO JOURNALISTS :
a) If any of the text in this release is reproduced verbatim, please credit the IISc press release.
b) For any queries about IISc press releases, please write to news@iisc.ac.in or pro@iisc.ac.in
