Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery in the NHS

Session Details

Session Title: Presented Poster Session: FLACS

Venue: Poster Village: Pod 1

First Author: : H.Naveed UK

Co Author(s): :    A. Lewis   R. Krishnan   H. Ali   M. Dimitry   T. Poole           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery has been available at Frimley Park Hospital for routine use on NHS patients since July 2016. The use of this new technology is associated with an initial learning curve. The purpose of this study is to describe the intraoperative complication rates and evaluate the learning curve associated with femtosecond laser cataract surgery.

Setting:

Frimley Park Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Surrey, UK

Methods:

We retrospectively analysed all patients undergoing cataract surgery using the laser platform VICTUS(TM) Femtosecond Laser Platform (Bausch & Lomb) over a 16-month period at Frimley Park Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, since the laser was first installed. The presence of intraoperative complications was used as the main outcome measure.

Results:

1194 patients underwent cataract surgery using the femtosecond laser. The mean age of the patients operated was 74.18 years (+/- 13.8 years). A total of 43 complications (3.6%) were reported, which included 15 cases (1.2%) with posterior capsule rupture and 11 cases (0.92%) of anterior capsular rim tears. Best corrected visual distance acuity of better than 6/12 was noted in 91% of cases.

Conclusions:

In this early experience of routine use of femtosecond laser for cataract surgery in an NHS setting, we have been able to highlight a clear learning curve. Complication rates of femtosecond laser and visual outcomes were found to be comparable to the national ophthalmic database of cataract surgery. The adjustment to surgical technique and experience with a femtosecond laser improves performance and outcomes.

Financial Disclosure:

None