Posters

Comparison of intraoperative and short-term results: phacoemulsification and photofragmentation

Poster Details

First Author: G.Sauder GERMANY

Co Author(s):    S. Moedl   M. Braun                 

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To evaluate corneal tissue trauma and effectiveness of cataract surgery using ultrasound (US) phacoemulsification compared to nanolaser photofragmentation.

Setting:

Charlottenklinik für Augenheilkunde in Stuttgart, Germany

Methods:

A prospective, randomized, double masked, clinical interventional study enrolling 52 consecutive patients. Group 1 received cataract surgery using phacoemulsification with a Centurion Phaco (Alcon) and group 2 received nanolaser-assisted photofragmentation cataract surgery with the first version of the photofragmentation handpiece of the Cetus Nanolaser system (A.R.C. Laser). Main outcome measures included uncorrected visual acuity and distance corrected visual acuity, corneal endothelial cell count, central corneal thickness. Intraoperative parameters were mean power consumption, fluidics and effective phacoemulsification or photofragmentation time (EPT).

Results:

Patients were randomized to either phacoemulsification or nanolaser photofragmentation procedures. Surgical procedures were uneventful. Between-group uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity were not significantly different. Postoperatively, the two groups did not present statistically significant differences in endothelial cell count. The central corneal thickness did not show statistically significant differences. The mean EPT was significantly lower in the phacoemulsification group (p<0.0001). There was a significant difference in the mean energy consumption (p<0.0001). A greater amount of balanced salt solution volume was required to complete the nanolaser procedures.

Conclusions:

The nanolaser photofragmentation procedure was effective in cataract surgery, reducing the mean energy consumption, but required a longer EPT and higher fluidics than phacoemulsification. Nanolaser photofragmentation did not show significant disadvantages over US phacoemulsification in terms of corneal tissue trauma and central corneal thickness.

Financial Disclosure:

None