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Surgeon: Future of refractive cataract surgery is femtosecond laser-assisted phaco
 Lucio Buratto |
ROME — Femtosecond laser-assisted phacoemulsification is a step forward in refractive cataract surgery, according to Lucio Buratto, MD.
"Although limited to only a few stages of the procedure, namely capsulotomy, nucleus fraction, corneal and, in some cases, relaxing incisions, the femtosecond laser improves accuracy, predictability and reproducibility. In addition, it reduces manipulation and the presence of instruments and fluids in the eye," Dr. Buratto, an OSN Europe Edition Associate Editor, said at the meeting of the Italian Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.
In the first part of the femto-phaco procedure, the surgeon is involved in setting the computer and is required to actively operate in the eye when half of the work is already done. The incisions are made, the capsule is opened, and the nucleus is cracked and softened, ready to be removed with a minimum amount of phacoemulsification and irrigation-aspiration maneuvers.
"This technique will allow us to deal more easily and effectively with complicated cataract cases, such as in eyes with hard or subluxated nuclei, pseudoexfoliation or pediatric cataract," he said.
Four companies are developing femtosecond lasers for cataract surgery: Alcon/LenSx, LensAR, OptiMedica and Technolas Perfect Vision. Approximately 400 femto-phaco procedures have been performed worldwide with the LenSx platform.
- Disclosure: Dr. Buratto has no direct financial interest in the products discussed in this article, nor is he a paid consultant for any companies mentioned.