Early Experience in Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery

Objectives: To analyze the early experience and intraoperative complications of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract and refractive lens\udexchange (RLE) surgery.\udMaterials and Methods: The initial 50 eyes of 29 patients who underwent cataract or RLE surgery between March 2013 and May\ud2013 were included in this study. All patients underwent anterior capsulotomy, lens fragmentation, and corneal incisions with the\udfemtosecond laser (LenSx®, Alcon Inc.). The operation was completed by phacoemulsification and implantation of an intraocular lens.\udIntraoperative complications were evaluated from patient charts and video reviews retrospectively.\udResults: The mean age of the patients included was 63.8±11.7 years. No suction break or anterior capsule tear occurred in any case.\udSmall anterior capsular tags occurred in 11 eyes (22%). The capsulotomy buttons were free-floating in 7 eyes (14%), while capsulorrhexis\udwas partially completed with microadhesions in 40 eyes (60%) and uncompleted in 3 eyes (6%). One eye (2%) had a posterior capsule\udrupture secondary to increase in the intracapsular pressure. Corneal incisions either were not preferred to be used in 8 eyes (16%) or could\udnot be completed in 4 eyes (8%). Miosis occurred in 20 eyes (40%). No vision lost or dropped nuclei were observed.\udConclusion: The use of femtosecond lasers in cataract and RLE surgery is safe. There had been no vision lost secondary to complications.\ud(Turk J Ophthalmol 2015; 45: 97-101