Anterior chamber flare after femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery

Clinical outcomes in the first two years of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery

PURPOSE

To analyze outcomes of femtosecond laser cataract surgery cases in the first 2 years in an ophthalmic institution.

DESIGN

Nonrandomized treatment comparison with matched, historical controls.

METHODS

Outcomes and intraoperative events of all laser cataract surgeries (5.0- to 5.5-mm-diameter laser capsulotomies and nuclear fragmentation) at the Singapore National Eye Centre (May 2012-December 2013) were prospectively audited. The 6-weeks-postoperative unaided visual acuities (UAVA), mean absolute error (MAE), mean square error (MSE), and manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE) results of surgeons with >50 laser cases were compared with controls, a random sample of manual cases with similar age, axial length, and preoperative cylinders. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS (P < .05).

RESULTS

A total of 1105 eyes (803 patients) underwent laser cataract surgery by 18 surgeons. The majority were female (56.9%) and Chinese (90.9%) with mean age 66.1 ± 11.0 years. Intraoperative complications were subconjunctival hemorrhage (290, 26.2%), anterior capsule tear (9 eyes, 0.81%), posterior capsule rupture (3 eyes, 0.27%), suction loss (5 eyes, 0.45%), iris hemorrhage (1 eye, 0.09%), and endothelial incision (1 eye, 0.09%). There was no dropped nucleus. Visual outcomes of 794 laser surgeries were compared to 420 controls. The %UAVA 20/25 or better was higher in laser cases (68.6% vs 56.3%; P < .0001) but MAE (0.30 ± 0.25 diopter [D] vs 0.33 ± 0.25; P = .062) and MSE (0.16 ± 0.27 D vs 0.17 ± 0.28 D; P = .065) were not significant. MRSE comparison was significant (target plano, preoperative cylinder <1.5 D -0.08 ± 0.36 D vs -0.13 ± 0.40 D; P = .034).

CONCLUSIONS

Femtosecond laser cataract surgery has a low complication rate. Cases compared to controls had statistically better %UAVA ≤20/25 and MRSE, although MAE was not significant.

Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery versus standard phacoemulsification cataract surgery: outcomes and safety in more than 4000 cases at a single center

PURPOSE

To compare the intraoperative complications and safety of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery and conventional phacoemulsification cataract surgery.

SETTING

Single center.

DESIGN

Prospective consecutive comparative cohort case series.

METHODS

Eyes had femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (study group) or phacoemulsification (control group) by 1 of 5 surgeons. The technique comprised manual corneal incisions and capsulorhexis or laser-assisted anterior capsulotomy, lens fragmentation, corneal incisions, phacoemulsification, and intraocular lens implantation.

RESULTS

The study group comprised 1852 eyes and the control group, 2228 eyes. Patient demographics were similar between groups. There was a significant improvement in vacuum/docking attempts, surface recognition adjustments, treatment, and vacuum time during the laser procedure in the study group. Anterior capsule tears occurred in 1.84% of eyes in the study group and 0.22% of eyes in the control group (P < .0001). There was no difference in the incidence of anterior capsule tears between the first half and second half of laser-assisted cases. Anterior capsulotomy tags occurred in 1.62% study group eyes. There was no significant difference in posterior capsule tears between the 2 groups (0.43% versus 0.18%). The incidence of significant intraoperative corneal haze and miosis was higher and the effective phacoemulsification time significantly lower in the study group (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Significant intraoperative complications likely to affect refractive outcomes and patient satisfaction were low overall. The 2 cataract surgery techniques appear to be equally safe. Although anterior capsule tears remain a concern, the safety of femtosecond-assisted cataract surgery in terms of posterior capsule complications was equal to that of phacoemulsification.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

[Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery]

Employing a femtosecond laser as an initial step in cataract surgery has the clear potential to provide more precise capsulotomies and full lens fragmentation in cases of pre-existing astigmatism in conjunction with relaxing corneal incisions. In the long run femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery might replace phacoemulsification which has been the standard in cataract surgery over the last 20 years. Besides precision and predictability, the low rate of complications impresses surgeons working with the technology, particularly those employing a laser with a fluid-filled interface which seems to prevent major complications including increases in intraocular pressure.

Femtosecond laser-induced macular changes and anterior segment inflammation in cataract surgery

PURPOSE

To compare femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery with standard phacoemulsification concerning the incidence of postoperative clinical or subclinical macular edema and the correlation between macular thickness and postoperative intraocular inflammation values.

METHODS

One hundred four eyes of 104 patients were treated by laser-assisted cataract surgery and the fellow 104 eyes underwent phacoemulsification using pulsed ultrasound energy and intraocular lens implantation in this prospective randomized study. Laser flare photometry was measured preoperatively and at 2 hours, 3 to 4 days, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively. Retinal thickness was measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.

RESULTS

Two hundred two eyes (97%) were included and analyzed at 6 months postoperatively. The mean center thickness in the laser group was 210 ± 24 μm at 4 days postoperatively, 214 ± 22 μm at 1 month postoperatively, 219 ± 20 μm at 3 months postoperatively, and 215 ± 22 μm at 6 months postoperatively. The mean center thickness in the standard group was 211 ± 32 μm at 4 days postoperatively, 210 ± 34 μm at 1 month postoperatively, 217 ± 29 μm at 3 months postoperatively, and 209 ± 30 μm at 6 months postoperatively. Laser flare photometry showed higher levels in the standard group at the first postoperative visit 2 hours after surgery compared with the laser group.

CONCLUSIONS

Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery did not obviously influence the incidence of postoperative macular edema.

Femtosecond laser cataract surgery: challenging cases

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Emerging data in the peer-reviewed literature indicate that femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (LCS) is a well tolerated and effective alternative to conventional phacoemulsification. Initial reports have largely been based on findings from an optimal patient selection. As confidence with the technology has grown, clinical indications have expanded and the benefit of LCS in high-risk patients with complex cataracts is increasingly being considered.

RECENT FINDINGS

We discuss challenging cataract surgery cases, citing the currently available literature alongside experience from over 3000 completed LCS cases at our centre.

SUMMARY

Current experience is limited. However, LCS platforms are continuously evolving and improving. The results collected to date would suggest that the precision and safety offered by LCS may improve outcomes in these challenging cases.