Posters

Impact of femtosecond laser energy on dimensional stability in corneal incision

Poster Details

First Author: T. Kojima JAPAN

Co Author(s):    K. Ichikawa   M. Takagi   R. Horai   Y. Tanaka   A. Tamaoki   K. Ichikawa     

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To evaluate the effect of femtosecond laser energy on the dimensional stability in clear corneal incision.

Setting:

Chukyo Eye Clinic, Nagoya, Japan

Methods:

Clear corneal incisions (2.5-mm width, 2-mm tunnel length) with different energy settings (3, 6, and 9 J) were created using a femtosecond laser cataract surgery system (LenSx, Alcon), in fresh porcine eyes (8 eyes in each group). After the incision, irrigation and aspiration (IA) tips were inserted in the anterior chamber and moved 50 times each in horizontal and vertical directions to stretch the incision site (stress test). Before and after the stress test, incision width was measured with an internal caliper. Observation by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was conducted.

Results:

The mean incision widths before the stress test were 2.350.05, 2.420.07, and 2.410.04 mm in the 3, 6, and 9 J groups, respectively, without statistically significantly differences between the 3 groups. After the stress test, these were 2.550.05, 2.640.05, and 2.720.05 mm, respectively. The incision after the stress test was significantly wider at 9 J than at 3 J (p=0.0001). Anterior OCT revealed that the corneal incision was more severely deformed at 9 J than at 3 J. SEM revealed that the corneal stromal surface of the incision was rougher at 9 J than at 3 J.

Conclusions:

Higher femtosecond laser energy tends to enlarge the clear corneal incision, with the histological differences in the corneal stromal surface of the incision being a probable cause.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE