Purpose:
The femtosecond laser was initially developed for LASIK flap creation during refractive surgery. Due to innovations in its technology, it is now being implemented in cataract surgery. However, few studies have evaluated its efficacy in this setting. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety, efficacy and clinical parameters in clear cornea cataract surgery performed with the LenSx femtosecond laser (Alcon, Fort Worth, TX).
Methods:
115 eyes of 78 consecutive patients who underwent femtosecond laser assisted clear cornea cataract surgery were evaluated preoperatively and 6 months post-operatively. These patients were evaluated for age, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), refraction, cylinder, capsulorrhexis diameter, topographic cylinder change, endothelial cell count, and complications.
Results:
The mean age in this population was 68 years old. Average preoperative UCVA and BCVA was 20/100 and 20/40 respectively, while at 6 months post surgery, UCVA was 20/25 and BCVA was 20/22. Spherical equivalent refraction was reduced from 3.7 diopters to 0.5 diopters. Cylinder correction improved from -2.25D pre operatively to -0.55 D post surgery. Average capsulorrhexis diameter was 5.8mm and topographic cylinder changed by -0.45 diopter. Endothelial cell count presurgery was 1850 and 1650 at the 6-month post operative evaluation. There were 2 incomplete capsulorrhexis that were completed manually without incident. No other complications were encountered in this group.
Conclusions:
Femtosecond laser assisted clear cornea cataract surgery is a new approach to cataract extraction. This novel bladeless technique appears to be safe and effective in facilitating emmetropia
Keywords: cataract • laser