Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery in a public teaching hospital setting

Abstract

BackgroundTo evaluate the efficiency and practicality of femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) in a public teaching hospital setting using a mobile FLACS system compared to conventional phacoemulsification cataract surgery (CPCS).MethodsNinety eyes from 90 patients underwent either FLACS or CPCS (45 in each group). Cataracts were graded using the Lens Opacities Classification System III system. Outcome measures included total surgery duration, femtosecond laser treatment time, vacuum time (VT), total phacoemulsification time (TPT) and total phacoemulsification power (TPP).ResultsNo differences were observed in the preoperative mean cataract grades and co-morbidities. FLACS took longer than CPCS with a mean difference of 5.2 ± 4.5 min (range: 0–18.8 min). The average femtosecond laser treatment time was 4.3 ± 3.4 min (range: 1–15.5 min). The VT was 2.51 ± 0.45 min (range: 1.59–4.10 min). Although not significant, TPT in FLACS showed a trend towards improvement (mean 1.0 ± 0.6 s; range: 0.1–2.4 s) compared to CPCS (mean 1.2 ± 0.6 min; range: 0.5–2.5 min). Whereas, TPP was significantly less in FLACS (mean 17.9 ± 5.0%; range: 5–27%) compared to CPCS (mean 20.3 ± 4.1%; range: 12.0–28.7%)(p = 0.031).ConclusionsThe mobile FLACS system housed in the same operating room increased the surgical duration by 5.2 min. The average VT was 2.51 min, which was lower in comparison to published experience using non-mobile FLACS systems.

Femtosecond laser–assisted cataract surgery compared with phacoemulsification cataract surgery: randomized noninferiority trial with 1-year outcomes

“…Detailed descriptions of the Catalys and Ziemer LDV Z8 usage for FLACS have previously been published. [18][19][20][21] All patients had planned implantation of a monofocal IOL. PCS was performed as per local practice.…”

Surgical outcomes with high and low pulse energy femtosecond laser systems for cataract surgery

“…In some settings, the patient may have to move up and the operating room may be a hallway away from the laser room. Whereas, with mobile Z8 laser system (housed in the same room), phacoemulsification can be performed immediately following laser application, thereby causing no delay between femtosecond laser pre-treatment and phacoemulsification 39 . In addition, the entire procedure is carried under sterile conditions of the operating room.…”

Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery Versus Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery (FACT)

“…Laser arcuate keratotomy could be performed using the Catalys laser at the surgeon’s discretion. Detailed descriptions of the Catalys 19 , 20 and Ziemer Z8 21 , 22 use for cataract surgery have been published. All patients had planned implantation of a monofocal IOL (Alcon SN60WF, St. Ann’s Hospital, Moorfields; Rayner 970C Sussex Eye Hospital, Brighton; Johnson & Johnson Tecnis 1 ZCB00 New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton).…”