Posters

Review of visual outcomes of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery by novice surgeons

Poster Details

First Author: F. Ahmed UNITED STATES

Co Author(s):    A. Intili   M. Pyfer   M. Blecher   R. Bailey           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

Wills Eye Hospital was the first ophthalmology residency program in the U.S. to incorporate femtosecond laser-assisted cataract extraction (FLACS) during residency training. Previous reports indicate that there is no significant difference in visual or refractive outcomes when using femtosecond versus standard phacoemulsification (MCS) for experienced surgeons. The purpose of this study was to investigate the visual and refractive outcomes of FLACS procedures performed by novice surgeons using the AMO Catalys(TM) femtosecond laser at Wills Eye Hospital.

Setting:

Wills Eye Hospital, Cataract and Primary Eye Care Department, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA

Methods:

Retrospective nonrandomized chart review of 80 resident FLACS cases from 12/2012-6/2014 was performed and compared to 80 age-matched control resident MCS cases over the same time period. Data collected included intraoperative and postoperative complications, and visual/refractive outcomes from post-op month one (POM1) to post-op year one (POY1).

Results:

The complication rates were similar for both techniques (P > 0.05). The average POM1 best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) for FLACS was 0.13 +/- 0.19 compared to 0.11 +/- 0.14 for MCS (P = 0.345). The average POY1 BCVA for FLACS was 0.13 +/- 0.16 and 0.08 +/- 0.1 for MCS (P = 0.079). The difference between achieved spherical equivalent (SE) and target pre-op SE at POM1 was -0.11 +/- 0.79 for FLACS and 0.02 +/- 0.79 for MCS (P = 0.277). The difference in POY1 SE was also similar for both techniques (P = 0.732).

Conclusions:

There is no significant difference in intraoperative or postoperative complication rates between FLACS and MCS techniques for novice surgeons. Visual and refractive outcomes at POM1 and POY1 were similar between both techniques. In resident hands, the FLACS technique is equivalent to the current standard of care. Femtosecond laser has the potential to alter the surgical training of residents, and early incorporation of this technique may lead to fewer operative complications and better visual outcomes in the future.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE