Session Title: Cataract I
Session Date/Time: Friday 03/02/2012 | 10:30-12:30
Paper Time: 11:11
Venue: Hall 1
First Author: : R.Nuijts NETHERLANDS
Co Author(s): : B. Cionni S. Slade
Purpose:
Even low levels of residual astigmatism can impact patient satisfaction after cataract surgery – particularly in with premium lens IOLs. In this study, we evaluate the safety and effectiveness of femtosecond laser created corneal and arcuate incisions for treating low levels of pre-existing corneal astigmatism (≤ 1.00DC) during cataract surgery.
Setting:
Department of Ophthalmology, Maastricht University Medical Center, The Netherlands.
Methods:
In 50 eyes, cataract surgery (with femtosecond created lens fragmentation and capsulorhexis) was combined with femtosecond laser created corneal and/or arcuate incisions to treat pre-existing corneal astigmatism. Patients with preoperative cylinder ≤ 1.00DC, were allowed entry into the study. The length, number, depth, and location of incisions were determined using a personal nomogram and vector analysis. After lens removal, an IOL was implanted and centered. Postoperatively, surgically treated astigmatism and manifest refractive residual astigmatism were analyzed at 1 month. RESULTS In all 50 cases, the laser corneal and arcuate incisions were of the exact desired length, depth, and location. The laser incisions showed a highly effective cylinder reduction at 1-month postop, with 60% of eyes within 0.25DC and 80% within 0.50DC. In eyes that had preoperative cylinder ≤0.75DC, 71% of eyes were within 0.25DC. There were no perforations or other complications.
Conclusions:
Laser corneal and arcuate incisions are fully customizable, reproducible, and can be placed in the exact size, location, and depth as desired. Removing inconsistencies in the procedure will improve predictability of corneal incisions and allow creation of more predictable astigmatism treating nomograms. This should ultimately improve patient outcomes in patients with low levels of astigmatism.
Financial Disclosure:
... receives consulting fees, retainer, or contract payments from a competing company, ... travel has been funded, fully or partially, by a competing company, ... research is funded, fully or partially, by a competing company
