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Bilateral LASIK procedure time using the VisuMax femtosecond laser and MEL80 excimer laser: comparison of two experienced surgeons

Session Details

Session Title: LASIK

Session Date/Time: Wednesday 09/10/2013 | 08:00-10:30

Paper Time: 08:30

Venue: Auditorium (First Floor)

First Author: : T.Archer UK

Co Author(s): :    D. Reinstein   T. Yap   G. Carp        

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To evaluate the mean procedure time for bilateral LASIK with the VisuMax femtosecond laser and MEL80 excimer laser (Carl Zeiss Meditec) for two experienced surgeons following the same surgical protocol.

Setting:

London Vision Clinic, London, UK

Methods:

This was a retrospective review of the intraoperative video recording of 30 consecutive bilateral LASIK patients for each of two surgeons (DZR, GIC) using the VisuMax femtosecond laser and MEL80 excimer laser in March 2012 at the London Vision Clinic, London, UK. Both surgeons adhered to a specific surgical protocol and had been using the VisuMax for routine LASIK procedures since 2007. The videos were reviewed and the time stamp at the following points during the procedure were recorded: for flap creation in each eye (speculum inserted, suction on, suction off, speculum taken out), for excimer laser ablation in each eye (speculum inserted, flap lifted, ablation start, ablation end, flap replaced, speculum taken out). The total surgery time was defined as the time from the speculum being inserted into the first eye to being taken out of the second eye at the end of the bilateral LASIK.

Results:

Total surgery time (speculum in to speculum out) was on average 11’17" ±1’46" (range 08’34" to 15’12") for surgeon DZR and 12’13" ±1’37" (range 10’35" to 18’07") for surgeon GIC. Bilateral flap creation with the VisuMax was performed on average in 3’05" (range 2’39" to 4’32") for surgeon DZR and 3’42" (range 3’09" to 4’52") for surgeon GIC. Including all eyes treated, suction time for an individual eye was on average 26" (range 22" to 44") for surgeon DZR and 23" (range 21" to 25") for surgeon GIC. Difference in timings were all accounted for by differences in surgeon patter rather than surgical technique.

Conclusions:

Bilateral LASIK procedure time can be made consistent within and between surgeons by the use of a standardized surgical protocol. The VisuMax and MEL80 laser platform enables an efficient bilateral procedure that minimizes surgical time for the patient, particularly the time that suction is applied for flap creation.

Financial Interest:

NONE