Comparative Analysis of Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Phacoemulsification Using 2 Femtosecond Laser Platforms
Narrative Responses:
Purpose
To identify and discuss quantifiable differences between two femtosecond cataract lasers in use in a single private ambulatory surgical center.
Methods
In this series, 100 eyes of 50 patients with bilateral cataracts are prospectively randomized to undergo surgery in one eye with the LenSx (Alcon), and in the fellow eye with the Catalys (Abbott Medical Optics). All surgeries are performed by two surgeons. Time of docking, duration of treatment with laser, subconjunctival hemorrhaging, completeness of corneal incisions, completeness of capsulotomy, phacoemulsification energies, time and difficulty of cortical removal are tabulated and compared. Subjective patient experience is also tabulated and compared.
Results
Analysis of these metrics across two different femtosecond cataract laser platforms identifies similarities and differences in each of the categories tabulated. The differences between lasers becomes apparent as cataract severity increases. With increasing cataract maturity, femtophacoemulsification with the Catalys laser yielded significantly better parameters than treatment with the LenSx. Subjective patient perception favored treatment with the Catalys.
Conclusion
Significant differences in femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery exist between the Alcon LenSx and the Optimedica Catalys . Treatment with the Catalys showed superior metrics in comparison to the LenSx as the severity of the cataract increases. Patients subjectively preferred treatment with the Catalys. Results were similar between both surgeons.