Abstract
Purpose :
Increasing age has been linked to a higher proportion of ocular co-morbidity, influencing the risk for intra-operative complications. The results of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) in patients over 80 years-old have not been reported. The purpose of this study is to determine the ocular outcomes of these patients as well as their suitability to undergo FLACS.
Methods :
Consecutive patients undergoing FLACS at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend, UK were included in this study. Data on patient demographics, post- operative results and number of patients who were unsuitable for FLACS were collected as part of the prospective service evaluation.
Results :
Sixty-five eyes undergoing FLACS were included in the analysis. The mean age at the time of surgery was 83.7 years. 40% of patients had ocular co-morbidity, with macular degeneration being the most frequent. Uncorrected distance visual acuities (UCVA) of 6/6 or better were achieved in 37% of eyes and 6/12 or better in 89% of eyes. Best-corrected distance visual acuities (BCVA) of 6/6 or better were achieved in 69% of eyes and 6/12 or better in 95% of eyes. 85% of spherical equivalents were within 1 D of intended and 65% were within 0.5 D of intended. Complications included: PC tear (1.5%), AC tear (1.5%), intra-operative miosis (3%) and post-operative macular oedema (3%). During the same period, 61% of patients were unsuitable for FLACS due to small pupils (50%), poor mobility (14%), positioning difficulties (9%), dementia (3%) or a combination of dementia, deep set eyes, corneal pathology, head movement, patient’s request (24%).
Conclusions :
Patients over 80 years of age can achieve good results with FLACS. A significant proportion of patients in this age group, however, was unsuitable for FLACS.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2018 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Honolulu, Hawaii, April 29 - May 3, 2018.