Eyetube.net has proven to be a valuable resource for eye care professionals, because it allows for the rapid dissemination of new techniques and ideas for surgical procedures and patients’ care. Available videos demonstrate how to safely and effectively use the Malyugin Ring (MicroSurgical Technology, Redmond, WA), perform an IOL exchange in the presence of an open capsule, treat epithelial ingrowth after LASIK, or perform phacoemulsification in eyes with weak zonules. Eyetube TV segments provide timely interviews with top ophthalmologists, optometrists, and industry leaders. Eyetube.net reaches its 3-year mark in March 2011. With the site’s more than 37,000 registered users and more than 2,000 videos, it is time to focus on some of the top videos of all time on Eyetube.net.
CATARACT
Eyetube.net is broken down into seven sections, and the ”Cataract” section leads the way with the most videos and the highest viewership. A surgical video by David Lubeck, MD, that was captured during a live surgery program at the AAO 2010 Annual Meeting has been viewed more than 50,000 times. In it, Dr. Lubeck demonstrates a phaco chop technique using Ozil IP (Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Fort Worth, TX) on the eye of a 75-year-old woman with a dense cataract. The video also demonstrates the use of a curved, disposable polymer I/A tip for cortical removal (Figure 1) (http://eyetube.net/series/alconlivesurgery/2010chicago/ dense-cataract-with-acrysof-iq-restor-iol/).
REFRACTIVE IOL
In the “Refractive IOL” section, Richard Mackool, MD, presents his step-by-step cataract surgery technique, including the placement of a presbyopia-correcting IOL. Dr. Mackool’s video, with more than 10,000 views, is part of The Video Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery from Robert Osher, MD (http://eyetube.net/?v=karure).
CORNEA
The most popular video in the “Cornea” section is part of a series developed by Roger Steinert, MD, on IntraLase-Enabled Keratoplasty (IntraLase FS laser; Abbott Medical Optics Inc., Santa Ana, CA). Not surprisingly, the first video on preoperative planning and patients’ selection has been viewed more than 11,000 times, and it is still an excellent primer for surgeons interested in learning how to perform this procedure. Other videos in this series include Dr. Steinert’s technique for donor preparation, laser treatment of the recipient cornea, and the final transplantation procedure performed in the OR (Figure 2) (http://eyetube.net/?v=narupe).
LASER VISION CORRECTION
In the “Laser Vision Correction” section, interestingly, the top video of all time with almost 10,000 views focused on corneal collagen cross-linking (not currently available in the United States). C. Garra, MD, shares his epitheliumoff corneal cross-linking technique, which is an exciting procedure for the treatment of post-LASIK ectasia and keratoconus (Figure 3) (http://eyetube.net/?v=safire).
GLAUCOMA
The top video in the “Glaucoma” section was submitted by Carlos Buznego, MD, who shares his technique for placing the iStent (Glaukos Corp., Laguna Hills, CA). This technology is available in Europe but has not yet received FDA approval in the United States. The procedure can be performed immediately after cataract surgery in patients with elevated IOP. Watched more than 6,000 times, the video provides a detailed primer for surgeons interested in using this technology (http://eyetube.net/?v=fedili).
CONCLUSION
Eyetube.net helps ophthalmologists to improve their surgical techniques and expand their surgical options. Clearly, there is a strong interest in informative videos on Eyetube.net. With outstanding videos covering cataract, refractive IOLs, cornea, and laser vision correction, the Web site serves as an excellent resource for anterior segment surgeons.
Section Editor Elena Albé, MD, is a consultant in the Department of Ophthalmology, Cornea Service, Istituto Clinico Humanitas Ophthalmology Clinic, Milan, Italy. She acknowledged no financial interest in the products or companies mentioned herein. Dr. Albé may be reached at +39 0331 441721; elena.albe@gmail.com.
Section Editor Richard M. Awdeh, MD, is the director of technology transfer and innovation and an assistant professor of ophthalmology at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami. He acknowledged no financial interest in the products or companies mentioned herein. Dr. Awdeh may be reached at (305) 326-6000; rawdeh@med.miami.edu.
Section Editor William B. Trattler, MD, is the director of cornea at the Center for Excellence in Eye Care in Miami and the chief medical editor of Eyetube.net. He is a consultant to Abbott Medical Optics Inc. Dr. Trattler may be reached at (305) 598-2020; wtrattler@earthlink.net.
