Floppy iris. How is floppy iris syndrome managed? What do urologists and ophthalmologists say?

Introduction: This study focuses on the effect of chronic treatment on the eye, regarding the so-called Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS) or Floppy Iris Syndrome, which can occur during cataract surgery.

Aim: The study aimed to establish the influence of tamsulosin, used in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) treatment on the iris, during cataract surgery, considering the increased incidence of both conditions in older age.

Methods: This study included one hundred male patients, operated on for cataracts at the Ofta Total Clinic and Dr. Stănilă Medical Centre, in Sibiu, out of 601 patients operated on for cataracts between February and October 2022. Of the 100 patients, 24 used medication for BPH. 5 patients used prostamol, a phytotherapeutic preparation, which is an extract from Serenoarepens, and the remaining 19 used tamsulosin, which is an alpha-blocker, most commonly used in the treatment of BPH, considered the first-line treatment option.

Results: In 15 patients, we intraoperatively managed, a medium mydriasis through pharmacological dilation, including intracameral administration of phenocaine and mechanical dilation or stripping. In 4 patients it was necessary to apply iris dilators. Due to the small pupil in 2 patients, we caught the iris in the phacoemulsification probe, and a small, incomplete iris coloboma was formed. Sometimes, there was a turnover of Descemet in 4 patients. The pupil remained semi-dilated and slightly areflective in the patients to whom we applied iris hooks. The patients' visual acuity was satisfactory, between 0.9 and 0.6.

Discussions: The topic gives rise to many discussions. It seems that stopping the administration of tamsulosin for a short time does not help the occurrence of IFIS, because the iris lesions seem irreversible. Patients at risk of developing cataracts should be evaluated and possibly referred to an ophthalmologist to determine surgery before starting treatment for BPH and to competently assess the administration of this medication.

Conclusions: Collaboration between urologists and ophthalmologists is required for patients prone to the appearance of cataracts since both conditions are frequently encountered in elderly patients.