Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery shows promise

This pilot study addressed the feasibility of using the femtosecond laser to construct reproducible and stable clear corneal tunnel incisions in cadaver eyes. The authors conclude that femtosecond laser-assisted cataract incisions may offer added stability and reproducibility in cataract wound construction. They add that the study validates that the femtosecond laser, although originally approved for lamellar corneal surgery, could be adapted to generate corneal incisions for cataract surgery as it has been adapted for use in penetrating keratoplasty.

The authors subjected cadaver eyes to partial-thickness clear corneal tunnel incisions of varying tunnel lengths constructed with an IntraLase femtosecond laser (model 1, Abbott Medical Optics, Inc.). A 15 kHz femtosecond laser was used to create 90 percent thickness 3.0 mm wide, single plane-angled incisions using the side-cut feature of the laser system. A standard ophthalmodynamometer (ODM) was used to simulate deformation of the eye, similar to patient rubbing, following surgery. Manometric elevation and reduction of IOP was used to test incision integrity and various levels of pressure as the ODM device was applied near the equator of the globe.

The authors found that a 3.0 mm x 1.0 mm incision leaked at all levels of external pressure by the ODM unit and all levels of IOP. A 3.0 mm x 1.5 mm incision leaked with less external pressure by the ODM device and at lower levels of IOP. As IOP was raised manometrically, the incision exhibited a reduced tendency for leakage. A 3.0 mm x 2.0 mm incision did not leak at any IOP despite deformation by the ODM at full levels of indentation pressure.

No abstract is available for this article.