Comparison of femtosecond laser-assisted and manual phacoemulsification cataract surgery by junior surgeons: a randomised, clinical trial

Session Details

Session Title: Presented Poster Session: FLACS & Surgical Devices

Venue: Poster Village: Pod 1

First Author: : S.Vasavada INDIA

Co Author(s): :    V. Vasavada   A. Vasavada   V. Vaishnav   P. Patel              

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To assess safety of manual phacoemulsification(Phaco) versus femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery(FLACS) on intraocular structures in the hands of junior surgeons

Setting:

Iladevi Cataract & IOL Research Centre, Ahmedabad, India

Methods:

Randomized, clinical Trial in 320 patients(320 eyes) undergoing cataract surgery for uncomplicated cataracts in the hands of two junior surgeons at a single centre. Patients randomized to either : Group I(n=160 eyes)–Phaco or Group II(n=160 eyes)–FLACS. Intraoperatively, cumulative dissipated energy(CDE) was compared. Postoperative outcome measures evaluated at day 1, week 1, 1 and 3 months postoperatively:central corneal thickness(CCT), corneal edema, anterior chamber inflammation, corneal endothelial cell count and macular thickness. Visual acuity also compared at final followup between groups.

Results:

Preoperative demographics and nucleus density were comparable  (P<0.005). CDE was significantly higher in the Phaco group compared to FLACS group(6.06+4 versus 5.30+3,P=0.04). Visual acuity at final followup was comparable between groups. On postoperative day 1, 23% eyes had Descemet’s folds in the phaco group compared to only 11.5% in the FLACS group, difference being statistically significant(P=0.03). Incidence and severity of anterior segment cells and flare were comparable between groups at day 1, week 1 and 1 month. Mean CCT 1 week postoperatively was 505+34 microns in the phaco group compared to 511+32.5 microns in the FLACS group, difference being non-significant(P>0.05).

Conclusions:

Both techniques are safe and effective in the hands of junior surgeons, however, there was greater intraoperative CDE and greater incidence of Descemet’s folds with corneal edema in the phaco group.

Financial Disclosure:

... research is funded, fully or partially, by a company producing, developing or supplying the product or procedure presented