Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures worldwide. During this surgery, the pupil needs to be adequately widened (dilated) to allow the surgeon to safely access and remove the clouded lens. In some patients, however, the iris - the colored part of the eye that controls pupil size, behaves unexpectedly during surgery. Instead of remaining stable, it becomes floppy, billows in response to fluid currents inside the eye, and the pupil progressively narrows despite the use of dilating eye drops. This condition is called Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS) and can make cataract surgery significantly more difficult, increasing the risk of complications such as iris damage, rupture of the lens capsule, or loss of the lens into the back of the eye. IFIS was first described in men taking alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonists (alpha-blockers), most commonly used to treat an enlarged prostate. Over time, other medications have also been linked to IFIS in both sexes. However, women develop IFIS less frequently than men, largely because alpha-blockers are prescribed less often in women. Despite this lower frequency, when IFIS occurs in women, it tends to be more severe and is associated with higher rates of surgical complications. This suggests that additional, as yet unidentified, factors may predispose women to IFIS, particularly those not taking any of the medications known to cause it. This study was designed to identify which factors increase the risk of IFIS in women undergoing routine cataract surgery. We prospectively evaluated female cataract patients at a tertiary eye center. Before surgery, all patients completed a structured questionnaire covering their medical history, current and past medications, prior surgical procedures, and eye health. Standardized pupil size measurements were obtained under different lighting conditions. During surgery, each case was evaluated for the presence and severity of IFIS by two independent senior ophthalmologists reviewing the surgical video recordings. The central hypothesis of this study is that factors beyond medication use, including prior surgical history, may independently contribute to IFIS risk in women.
Age range
50 Years
Sex
FEMALE
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Prevalence of Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome
Timeframe: Intraoperative (at the time of cataract surgery)