Comparison of visual performance with iTrace analyzer following femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery with bilateral implantation of two different trifocal intraocular lenses

AIM:To compare the postoperative binocular visual performance with an iTrace analyzer following femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery(FLACS)combined with bilateral implantation of two different types of diffractive trifocal intraocular lenses(IOL).METHODS:During this retrospective observational study,patients who received bilateral FLACS combined with implantation of two different types of diffractive trifocal IOLs were evaluated.According to the IOLs’different types and design,the patients were divided into AT LISA tri839MP group(tri839 group)and AcrySof PanOptix TFNT00 group(TFNT group).Study parameters included preoperative and postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity(UDVA)at 5 m,uncorrected near visual acuity(UNVA)at 30 cm and 40 cm,uncorrected intermediate visual acuity(UIVA)at 60 cm and 80 cm,postoperative refractive status,objective visual qualities and total high order aberrations(HOAs)postoperatively.The postoperative complications were also recorded.RESULTS:Totally 56 eyes of 28 patients(tri839 group,n=26;TFNT group,n=30)were included.Preoperative baseline characteristics between groups were not statistically significantly different.UDVA was not significantly different between groups except for 1wk follow-up due to the postoperative corneal edema.TFNT group showed statistically significant better UNIA at 60 cm than tri839 group at the 1wk(0.05±0.19 vs 0.15±0.10 logMAR,P=0.013),1mo(0.05±0.12 vs 0.15±0.09 logMAR,P=0.001)and 3mo(0.04±0.12 vs 0.15±0.11 logMAR,P=0.001)follow-up,while tri839 group showed statistically significant better UNIA at 80 cm than TFNT group at the 1d(0.14±0.15 vs 0.20±0.14 logMAR,P=0.041)and 1mo(0.09±0.07 vs 0.14±0.10 logMAR,P=0.042)follow-up.Postoperative refractive status showed stable at every visit.Modulated transfer function(MTF)values and strehl ratio(SR)values were improved and HOAs were lower significantly after surgery.CONCLUSION:FLACS with bilateral implantations of both tri839 and TFNT00 can achieve satisfactory natural whole-course vision,high postoperative refractive stability and good visual quality but without significantly difference.iTrace aberration instrument can accurately evaluate the visual quality under different status.

Corneal astigmatic outcomes after femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery combined with surface penetrating arcuate keratotomies

AIM:To evaluate corneal astigmatic outcomes of femtosecond laser-assisted arcuate keratotomies(FAKs)combined with femtosecond-laser assisted cataract surgery(FLACS)over 12mo follow-up.METHODS:Totally 145 patients with bilateral cataracts and no ocular co-morbidities were recruited to a singlecentre,single-masked,prospective randomized controlled trial(RCT)comparing two monofocal hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses.Eyes with corneal astigmatism(CA)of>0.8 dioptres(D)received unpaired,unopened,surface penetrating FAKs at the time of FLACS.Visual acuity,subjective refraction and Scheimpflug tomography were recorded at 1,6,and 12mo.Alpins vectoral analyses were performed.RESULTS:Fifty-one patients(61 eyes),mean age 68.2±9.6y[standard deviation(SD)],received FAKs.Sixty eyes were available for analysis,except at 12mo when 59 attended.There were no complications due to FAKs.Mean pre-operative CA was 1.13±0.20 D.There was a reduction of astigmatism at all post-operative visits(residual CA 1mo:0.85±0.42 D,P=0.0001;6mo:0.86±0.35 D,P=0001;and 12mo:0.90±0.39,P=0.0001).Alpins indices remained stable over 12mo.Overall,the cohort was under-corrected at all time points.At 12mo,61%of eyes were within±15 degrees of pre-operative astigmatic meridian.CONCLUSION:Unpaired unopened penetrating FAKs combined with on-axis phacoemulsification are safe but minimally effective.CA is largely under-corrected in this cohort using an existing unmodified nomogram.The effect of arcuate keratotomies on CA remained stable over 12mo.

Comparison of perioperative parameters in one-handed rotational phacoemulsification versus conventional phacoemulsification and femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery

AIM:To compare perioperative parameters of one-handed rotational phacoemulsification technique(one-handed phaco-roll)with each of other two techniques,“Divide et Conquer”and femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery(FLACS)METHODS:In this retrospective and comparative cohort study,eyes with uncomplicated cataract(nuclear density grade 2 to 3)treated routinely with one-handed phacoroll(n=23;Group 1)or“Divide et Conquer”(n=23;Group 2)or FLACS(n=23;Group 3)were enrolled.Intraoperative parameters including effective phaco-time(EPt),ultrasound time(USt),aspiration time,surgical time,phacoemulsification(phaco)-power,balanced salt solution(BSS)use,cumulative dissipated energy(CDE)were recorded and compared.Clinical outcomes including best corrected visual acuity(BCVA),corneal endothelial cell density(ECD),endothelial cell loss(ECL),central corneal thickness(CCT)and central macular thickness(CMT),were assessed and compared pre-operatively and at 1mo after surgery.RESULTS:Aspiration and surgical time,and BSS used were lower in Group 1(P<0.01)than other groups.EPt,phaco-power and CDE were lower in Group 1(P<0.05)than Group 2 but not significantly different from Group 3.In Group 1,USt was lower(P<0.05)than Group 2 but higher(P<0.05)than Group 3.BCVA improved in all groups without significant difference between Group 1 and the other ones.No significant differences regarding all post-operative morphologic outcomes(ECD,ECL,CCT,CMT)were reported.No clinical complications occurred.CONCLUSION:One-handed phaco-roll seems to be less time-consuming than“Divide et Conquer”and FLACS and less energy-consuming than“Divide et Conquer”.Furthermore,one-handed phaco-roll seems to have an equal safety profile compared to the other two techniques.

Anterior and posterior capsule densitometry levels after femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery

AIM: To analyze and compare five different variables over one year follow-up(1 wk, 1, 3, 6 and 12 mo): anterior capsule(AC), and posterior capsule(PC) area densitometry values, AC and PC linear densitometry values, and AC opening area reduction ratio after femtosecond laserassisted cataract surgery. METHODS: This was a prospective comparative study. Seventy-one patients underwent femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery on single eye between June 2014 and December 2015. A 5.0 mm diameter laser assisted anterior capsulotomy was performed on all eyes. In every postsurgery evaluation, AC opacificaction(ACO) and PC opacification(PCO) density levels were provided by Oculus Pentacam~?HR using area and linear densitometry methods. Digital images were captured with a slit-lamp Topcon photographic camera and IMAGEnet~? 5 software. The AC opening area on the digital images was measured using the Sketchandcalc area calculator and converted to reduction ratio levels.RESULTS: Using Pearson correlation coefficient(PCC), we found no correlation(r=-0.091, P=0.46) in the twelfth month assessment between the evolution of ACO area densitometry values and PCO area densitometry values considered as independent variables. We found no correlation, using PCC(r=-0.096, P=0.43) between the evolution of ACO linear densitometry values and PCO linear densitometry values, in the twelfth month visit, working both as independent variables. AC linear densitometry levels and AC area densitometry levels continued to grow strongly from sixth to twelfth months. Analysis of the values of AC opening area reduction ratio(1 wk, 1, 3, 6, 12 mo) revealed statistically significant differences between the values of successive examinations but the magnitude of the change decreased. In the final period of monitoring between six and twelve months the magnitude of change was low.CONCLUSION: Our results show strong increases of Scheimpflug ACO densitometry values from the sixth to the twelfth month while capsulorhexis area reduction ratio levels displayed a considerable decrease. We found no correlation between ACO area and linear densitometry values and PCO area and linear densitometry values, in the twelfth month examination, working as independent variables.

Case report:simultaneous femtosecond laser astigmatic keratotomy and toric intraocular lens implantation in femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery in a patient with surgically induced high corneal astigmatism

Background:Femtosecond laser astigmatic keratotomy(FSAK)and toric intraocular lens(IOL)implantation have been studied individually for comparison to treat astigmatism at cataract surgery.We report a case of surgically induced high corneal astigmatism by laser thermal keratoplasty(LTK)in a patient with cataract who was successfully treated with simultaneous combination of FSAK and toric IOL implantation with femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery(FLACS).This is the first report of both procedures combined simultaneously,with or without history of LTK.Case Description:A 68-year-old male presented with a history of LTK with two enhancements each eye in 2004,with subsequent surgically induced high corneal astigmatism,and with age-related nuclear cataract of both eyes.IOL master demonstrated+7.71 diopters of astigmatism at 163 degree right eye and+3.29 diopters of astigmatism at 4 degree left eye.After extensive discussion of the risks and benefits,the patient agreed to undergo FLACS with FSAK with two 61 degrees of relaxation incisions(RIs)and toric IOL(Alcon SN6AT9)right eye;FLACS with toric IOL(Alcon SN6AT7)alone left eye.At 2-year follow-up,uncorrected visual acuity was 20/30 right eye,20/25 left eye.His best corrected visual acuity was 20/25(+0.25+1.00 axis 21)right eye and 20/20(plano+0.25 axis 90)left eye;his best corrected near visual acuity was J1+with add+2.50 diopters right eye and left eye.Conclusions:Patients with age-related cataract and LTK induced high corneal astigmatism can hardly be sufficiently treated with FSAK or toric IOL alone at the time of cataract surgery.An effective way is to combine large FSAK and toric IOL of the highest cylindrical power of T9,in our case,simultaneously,which can achieve an excellent long term visual outcome.

Comparing the intraoperative complication rate of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery to traditional phacoemulsification

AIM: To compare the complication rate of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery(FLACS) and traditional phacoemulsification for the first 18 mo of FLACS use at a private surgical center in Hawaii.METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted from January 2012 to June 2013. The first 273 consecutive eyes receiving FLACS and 553 eyes receiving traditional phacoemulsification were examined.All surgeries were performed at a single surgical center in Hawaii. The presence of intraoperative complications was used as the main outcome measure. Approval was obtained from the institutional review board of the University of Hawaii.RESULTS: The overall complication rate for FLACS was 1.8%, while that of the traditional procedure was5.8%(P <0.05). A majority of the surgeons(80%) had a lower complication rate while using FLACS.CONCLUSION: FLACS is comparable in safety, if not safer, than traditional cataract surgery when performed by qualified cataract surgeons on carefully selected patients.

Changes in ocular surface status and dry eye symptoms following femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery

AIM: To observe the changes in ocular surface and the dry eye symptoms following femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS).METHODS: Patients with no eye signs or symptoms in Guangzhou Aier Eye Hospital between October 2017 and September 2018, who underwent FLACS and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation for age-related cataract were enrolled. Tear film stability assessed with OCULUS Keratograph 5M, Schirmer's I test (SIT), and corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) were evaluated before and after surgery at 1d, 1wk, 1, and 3mo in order. Ocular Surface Disease Index scores (OSDI) and Subjective Symptom Questionnaires (SSQs) were recorded at the same time point.RESULTS: Thirty-eight eyes of 38 patients were enrolled. The noninvasive tear film break-up time (first break-up time and average break-up time) decreased in a peak at the 1wk visit, and then increased to basic levels at 1mo. The tear meniscus height (TMH) increased transiently at 1d, and declined in the following 3mo visits. The SIT had a transient increase at 1d (P=0.357) and a decrease at 1wk and 1mo (both P<0.05) but returned to the preoperative levels at 3mo after surgery (P=0.062). CFS scores were significantly improved compared with those before surgery, and had a statistical difference (P<0.05). OSDI scores and SSQs after surgery were obviously higher, and had a statistical difference (P<0.001) but didnJt return to the basic level by 3mo.CONCLUSION: Dry eye signs and symptoms can occur immediately following FLACS and have a peak severity on day 7 postoperatively. Most signs of dry eye can return to preoperative basic levels within 3mo postoperatively. However, all cases can not recover from CFS and dry eye symptoms at 3mo postoperatively.

Comparative clinical outcomes of Tecnis toric IOL implantation in femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery and conventional phacoemulsification surgery

AIM: To compare the short-term visual outcomes, residual refractive cylinder, and rotation stability after Tecnis toric intraocular lens(IOL) implantation during femtosecond laserassisted cataract surgery(Femto phaco) and conventional phacoemulsification surgery(Conventional phaco).METHODS: In a prospective cohort study, Conventional phaco and Femto phaco(anterior capsulotomy and lens fragmentation by a femtosecond laser) with Tecnis toric IOL implantation were performed in 40 eyes from 36 patients and 37 eyes from 33 patients, respectively. The uncorrected distance visual acuity(UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity(CDVA), and manifest refraction were assessed during 1 d, 1 wk, and 1 mo follow-ups. The orientation of the Tecnis Toric IOL was evaluated during 1 wk and 1 mo follow-ups.RESULTS: There were no significant differences in UDCA or CDVA between two groups at 1 mo postoperatively, though relatively more subjects had UDVA values of 20/25 or better in Femto phaco group than in the Conventional group(P>0.05). A lower but not significantly lower rate of having more than 5° of IOL rotation was observed in Femto phaco group at the 1-month follow-up, while a significant lower rate of residual astigmatism of ≤1 D was observed in Femto phaco group.CONCLUSION: The Femto phaco group has significantly more subjects with the residual astigmatism of ≤1 D, but there are no significant differences in rotation stability and visual outcomes as compared with the Conventional phaco group after the application of the Tecnis toric IOL in this cohort.

Human lens epithelial cell apoptosis and epithelial to mesenchymal transition in femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery

AIM: To evaluate human lens epithelium cell apoptosis and epithelial to mesenchymal transition(EMT) induced by femtosecond laser in femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery(FLACS).METHODS: Sixty cataract patients with N2 to N3 stage according to the LOCS III were enrolled in this study and divided into three groups randomly: FLACS1 group(cataract surgery by FLACS with LenS x), FLACS2 group(cataract surgery by FLACS with LensA R) and manual group(cataract surgery by phacoemulsification). Patients in two FLACS groups performed anterior capsulotomy by Len Sx or Lens AR laser system. Patients in the manual group were performed continuous curvilinear capsulorrhexis(CCC) manually. The anterior capsules were fixed right after moved out of eye. Hematoxylin-eosine staining, immunofluorescence staining and real-time PCR were performed in order to observe human lens epithelium cells changes after cataract surgery.RESULTS: The capsule cutting edge was shown irregularity and roughness in two FLACS groups and smooth edge in manual capsulotomy by pathologic staining. Irregularities of the cell configuration with partly swollen and destroyed nuclei were observed in two FLACS groups. Femtosecond laser could induce a significantly higher cell apoptosis in human lens epithelium cell than manually performed CCC(P<0.05). Lens epithelium cells apoptosis were correlatedwith femtosecond laser duration according to Pearson correlation analysis. Decreased N-cadherin expression, alpha-SMA and FSP-1 level in two FLACS groups showed the inhibition of cell EMT.CONCLUSION: Femtosecond laser may affect the apoptosis and EMT of lens epithelium cells which are under the peeled central lens capsule.

Combined Carbon Dioxide Laser Lateral Canthotomy and Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new procedure aimed at lengthening the palpebral fissure to facilitate femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery in patients with small eyes. Method: A quick procedure using the CO2 laser was adapted for patients with small eyes undergoing laser-assisted cataract surgery using the Catalys system. The UniPulse CO2 laser (Nidek) was used for laser lateral canthotomy on patients with small palpebral fissures to allow fitting of the Liquid OpticTM Interface eyepiece. Results: Lateral canthotomies were performed on 19 women and 7 men (ages ranged from 45 to 93 years) with lower eyelid lengths equal to or shorter than 32 mm who then underwent femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery. A total of 33 eyelids received laser lateral canthotomy with the CO2 laser;only one eyelid had lateral canthotomy with cold-steel tenotomy scissors. Dockings were completed for all 34 eyes with eyelids receiving lateral canthotomies. The 33 eyes with eyelids that received laser canthotomy with the CO2 laser had successful femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery. The one eye with the eyelid that received cold-steel canthotomy could not have femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery despite successful docking because of pupillary constriction. The findings were statistically significant;Fisher Exact Test showed a p-value of 0.0294. Conclusion: Laser lateral canthotomy with CO2 laser is a safe and effective method to allow docking and completion of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery.

Blood pressure change during phacoemulsification and femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery

·AIM: To evaluate blood pressure(BP) changes during phacoemulsification(PC) and femtosecond laser(FSL)-assisted cataract surgery.·METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed for all patients who received traditional phacoemulsification surgery(PC group) and FSL-assisted cataract surgery(FS group) from July 2013 to December 2014. Totally 206 eyes from 133 patients receiving the two types of procedures were included.Patient characteristics(age, gender, and hypertension history), pre- and post-operative BPs were collected.·RESULTS: The pro-operative systolic and diastolic BPs(mm Hg) were 124.89 ±20.48 vs 126.98 ±16.85, and71.88 ±9.81 vs 73.56 ±10.03, in PC and FS groups,respectively. While the post-operative systolic and diastolic BPs(mm Hg) were 130.13 ±22.59 vs 134.77 ±17.52, and 73.41 ±11.62 vs 78.89 ±12.2, in PC and FS groups, respectively. Paired-sample t-tests showed obvious systolic and diastolic BP elevations in FS group after surgery(P =0.001 and 0.007) and no reliability in PC group(P =0.094 and 0.359). A linear regression model revealed systolic and diastolic BP elevations,which were related to longer surgical times for FS group(P =0.008 and 0.021). Age, gender, and hypertension history were not correlated with blood pressure elevation in either group.·CONCLUSION: BP increases but at a limited level after FSL-assisted cataract surgery compared to traditional

Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery(FLACS)in resident training

This article reviews the history of the femtosecond laser in ophthalmology and its subsequent introduction into the field of cataract surgery.It discusses the innovations that this technology has brought to the field.The article also describes the current system of teaching cataract surgery to ophthalmology residents in the United States and then examines how femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery(FLACS)can be a beneficial part of residency education.

Clinical efficacy of femtosecond laser-assisted phacoemulsification in diabetic cataract patients

BACKGROUND Diabetic patients with cataracts encounter specific difficulties during cataract surgery due to alterations in microcirculation,blood supply,metabolism,and the microenvironment.Traditional phacoemulsification may not fully tackle these issues,especially in instances with substantial preoperative astigmatism.The utilization of femtosecond laser-assisted phacoemulsification,in conjunction with Toric intraocular lens(IOL)implantation,offers a potentially more efficient strategy.This research seeks to evaluate the efficacy and possible complications of this approach in diabetic cataract patients.AIM To investigate the clinical efficacy and complications of femtosecond laser-assisted phacoemulsification combined with Toric IOL implantation in diabetic cataract patients,comparing it with traditional phacoemulsification methods.METHODS This retrospective study enrolled 120 patients with diabetes cataract from May 2019 to May 2021.The patients were divided into two groups:the control group underwent traditional phacoemulsification and Toric IOL implantation,while the treatment group received Len Sx femtosecond laser-assisted treatment.Outcome measures included naked eye vision,astigmatism,high-level ocular phase difference detection,clinical efficacy,and complication.RESULTS There were no significant preoperative differences in astigmatism or naked eyesight between the two groups.However,postoperative improvements were observed in both groups,with the treatment group showing greater enhancements in naked eye vision and astigmatism six months after the procedure.High-level corneal phase difference tests also indicated significant differences in favor of the treatment group.CONCLUSION This study suggests that femtosecond laser-assisted phacoemulsification combined with Toric IOL implantation appears to be more effective in enhancing postoperative vision in diabetic cataract patients compared to traditional methods offering valuable insights for clinical practice.

Differences in energy and corneal endothelium between femtosecond laser-assisted and conventional cataract surgeries：prospective,intraindividual,randomized controlled trial

AIM: To compare intraoperative phacoemulsification parameters and its effect on the corneal endothelium of eyes undergoing femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery(FLACS) versus conventional phacoemulsification(CP) cataract surgery.METHODS: Two hundred eyes from one hundred patients were included in a prospective, non-blinded, randomized, controlled, intraindividual clinical study. One hundred eyes underwent FLACS while their one hundred fellow eyes underwent CP. All surgeries were performed using the Victus? femtosecond laser platform and Infinity? Vision System phacoemulsification machine. Primary outcome measure was endothelial cell density 6 mo after surgery. Secondary outcome measures included central corneal thickness(CCT), average cell area, standard deviation, coefficient of variation and hexagonality before surgery and 6 mo after surgery and endothelial cell density loss during this period were also evaluated. Intraoperative efficiency parameters [cumulative dissipated energy(CDE), total intraocular surgery time, total ultrasound time, total phacoemulsification time, total torsional energy time, total aspiration time, ultrasound energy, torsional amplitude and fluid required during surgery] were also collated. RESULTS: Data from these patients was not considered for analysis. Data from 92 patients were analysed. Postoperative endothelial cell density(cells/mm2) between groups(2211.88±392.49 CP; 2246.31±403.48 FLACS) was not statistically significant(P=0.869). Total ultrasound time, torsional energy time, CDE and fluid requirements were significantly lower the FLACS group(P<0.05). Other parameters did not show statistically significant difference between FLACS and CP.CONCLUSION: FLACS displays significant improvements in phacoemulsification parameters in comparison to CP. There are no significant differences in corneal endothelium measures between FLACS and CP.

Effect of femtosecond laser-assisted steepest-meridian clear corneal incisions on preexisting corneal regular astigmatism at the time of cataract surgery

AIM:To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of femtosecond laser-assisted steepest-meridian clear corneal incisions for correcting preexisting corneal astigmatism performed at the time of cataract surgery.METHODS:This prospective case series study comprised consecutive age-related cataract patients with corneal regular astigmatism(range:+0.75 to+2.50 D)who had femtosecond laser-assisted steepest-meridian clear corneal incisions(single or paired).Corneal astigmatism was performed with the Pentacam preoperatively and 3 mo postoperatively.Total corneal astigmatism and steepestmeridian measured in the 3-mm central zone were used to guide the location,size and number of clear corneal incision.The vector analysis of astigmatic change was performed using the Alpins method.RESULTS:Totally 138 eyes of 138 patients were included.The mean preoperative corneal astigmatism was 1.31±0.41 D,and was significantly reduced to 0.69±0.34 D(equivalent to difference vector)after surgery(P<0.01).The surgically-induced astigmatism was 1.02±0.54 D.The correction index(ratio of target induced astigmatism and surgically-induced astigmatism:0.72±0.36)as well as the magnitude of error(difference between surgically-induced astigmatism and target induced astigmatism:-0.29±0.51)represented a slight under correction.For angle of error,the arithmetic mean was 1.11±13.70,indicating no significant systematic alignment errors.CONCLUSION:Femtosecond-assisted steepest-meridian clear corneal incision is a fast,customizable,adjustable,precise,and safe technique for the reduction of low to moderate corneal astigmatism during cataract surgery.

Safety of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery versus conventional phacoemulsification for cataract:A meta-analysis and systematic review

Purpose:To compare the complications of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery(FLACS)with those of conventional phacoemulsification surgery(CPS)for age-related cataracts.Methods:PubMed,Cochrane Library,and EMBASE were systematically searched for studies comparing FLACS and CPS.Outcomes were operative complications,including the intraoperative capsule tear,postoperative corneal edema,macular edema,uncontrolled IOP,etc.The effect measures were weighted with odds ratios with 95%CIs.Results:Nineteen RCTs and 18 cohort studies,including 24,806 eyes(11,375 of the FLACS group and 13,431 of the CPS group),were identified.There were no significant differences between the two groups in anterior capsule tear,corneal edema,macular edema,uncontrolled IOP,vitreous loss,posterior vitreous detachment,etc.Posterior capsule tear rate showed a significantly lower in RCT subgroups(P=0.04)and without differences in total(P=0.63).Significant differences were observed in the incidence of descemet membrane tear/trauma(P=0.02)and IFIS/iris trauma(P=0.04.Additionally,The FLACS specific complications showed a significantly higher rate of miosis(P=0.0001),corneal epithelial defect(P=0.001),corneal haze(P=0.002),and subconjunctival hemorrhage(P=0.01).Conclusions:FLACS maintains the same safety compared with CPS in terms of all intraoperative and postoperative complications.Although FLACS did show a statistically significant difference for several FLACS specific complications,it would not influence the visual outcome and heal itself.

Effect of femtosecond laser-assisted lens surgery on the optic nerve head and the macula

AIM: To evaluate the effect of femtosecond laser-assisted lens surgery(FLALS;cataract surgery or refractive lens exchange) on the structure of the optic nerve head and the macula.METHODS: This prospective longitudinal study included healthy eyes undergoing FLALS. Eyes with glaucoma or any other ocular disease that could alter optical coherence tomography results were excluded. Retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL), Bruch’s membrane opening-minimum rim width(BMO-MRW) and macular thickness(MT) were measured preoperatively, 1 and 6 mo after surgery using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography(SD-OCT). Changes between preoperative and postoperative values were evaluated.RESULTS: A total of 87 eyes of 46 patients were included in this study. Preoperative RNFL, BMO-MRW and MT in microns(μm) were 100.77±10.39, 330.31±49.99 and 276.30±33.39, respectively. Postoperative RNFL, BMO-MRW and MT were 104.74±11.55, 348.32±54.05 and 279.83±22.65 1 mo after surgery and 102.93±11.17, 343.11±53.4 and 278.90±22.19 6 mo after surgery, respectively;which equals an increase of 3.93%, 5.45% and 1.27%,respectively, 1 mo after surgery, and 2.14%, 3.87% and 0.94% 6 mo after surgery. The differences between the preoperative and the postoperative RNFL and BMO-MRW values were statistically significant(P<0.001). Regarding MT values, there were not statistically significant differences(P=0.26).CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that FLALS does not have a negative impact on the structural status of the optic nerve head in healthy eyes, assessed by SD-OCT. There is a slight increase in the values of RNFL, BMO-MRW and MT 1 mo and 6 mo after surgery.

Femtosecond laser in refractive and cataract surgeries

In the past few years, 9 unique laser platforms have been brought to the market. As femtosecond(FS) laserassisted ophthalmic surgery potentially improves patient safety and visual outcomes, this new technology indeed provides ophthalmologists a reliable new option. But this new technology also poses a range of new clinical and financial challenges for surgeons. We provide an overview of the evolution of FS laser technology for use in refractive and cataract surgeries. This review describes the available laser platforms and mainly focuses on discussing the development of ophthalmic surgery technologies.

Comment on profitability analysis of a femtosecond laser system for cataract surgery using a fuzzy logic approach

Dear Editor,We read with interest the recently published study by Trigueros et al^([1]),highlighting the financial and management conditions of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery(FLACS).The authors derived a simulation to

Profitability analysis of a femtosecond laser system for cataract surgery using a fuzzy logic approach

AIM:To define the financial and management conditions required to introduce a femtosecond laser system for cataract surgery in a clinic using a fuzzy logic approach.METHODS:In the simulation performed in the current study,the costs associated to the acquisition and use of a commercially available femtosecond laser platform for cataract surgery(VICTUS,TECHNOLAS Perfect Vision GmbH,Bausch & Lomb,Munich,Germany) during a period of 5y were considered.A sensitivity analysis was performed considering such costs and the countable amortization of the system during this 5y period.Furthermore,a fuzzy logic analysis was used to obtain an estimation of the money income associated to each femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery(G). RESULTS:According to the sensitivity analysis,the femtosecond laser system under evaluation can be profitable if 1400 cataract surgeries are performed per year and if each surgery can be invoiced more than $500.In contrast,the fuzzy logic analysis confirmed that the patient had to pay more per surgery,between $661.8 and $667.4 per surgery,without considering the cost of the intraocular lens(IOL).CONCLUSION:A profitability of femtosecond laser systems for cataract surgery can be obtained after a detailed financial analysis,especially in those centers with large volumes of patients.The cost of the surgery for patients should be adapted to the real flow of patients with the ability of paying a reasonable range of cost.