Abstract
Purpose :
Optimization of the laser parameters suffers from the lack of a reliable cataract model to assess the cut quality. Here we present a porcine lens based cataract model for the optimization of femtosecond laser fragmentation.
Methods :
Artificial aging of the porcine lens was achieved by storing fresh porcine lenses in a mixture of 50% alcohol and 50% paraformaldehyde fixative solution for different durations followed by storing for 24 hours in phosphate buffered saline (1x) . Grade 1 cataract was achieved following 2.5 hours of submersion in solution; 3 hours and 4 hours in solution resulted in 2 and 3 grades of cataract, respectively.
The lenses were irradiated using the CATALYS ® System and fragmentation patterns were applied. Standard settings of 10um horizontal and 40um vertical spot spacing were used.
After exposure, treated lenses were examined under the surgical microscope. We evaluated the percentage of remaining tissue bridges; the variation of depth as well as phaco emulsification was performed.
Results :
We found that cataractous lens can be successfully simulated and cut with the CATALYS ® System (Fig.1). The depth of the cut increases with the increase in laser energy, See Fig.2. Phaco emulsification can be performed with ultrasonic energy similar to that found in standard clinical settings.
Conclusions :
We introduced and evaluated a novel cataract model for laser-assisted cataract surgery. Based on this model, one can achieve a good full depth fragmentation starting at 5uJ of energy.
© 2015 Abbott Medical Optics Inc.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2016 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, Wash., May 1-5, 2016.