2020–2021 BCSC Basic and Clinical Science Course™
11 Lens and Cataract
Chapter 8: Phacoemulsification for Cataract Extraction
Alternative Technologies for Cataract Extraction
Laser Photolysis
Since the advent of phacoemulsification, alternative technologies have been developed to facilitate cataract extraction. The first laser system, the Dodick Photolysis system, a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser system (A.R.C. Laser Corp), was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2000. This system generates laser shock waves at 200–400 ns that strike a titanium target at the end of the aspirating handpiece, thereby breaking up the lens nucleus.
Excerpted from BCSC 2020-2021 series: Section 11 - Lens and Cataract. For more information and to purchase the entire series, please visit https://www.aao.org/bcsc.