Evaluation of New Patient Interface in Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery
Narrative Responses:
Purpose
To evaluate the improvement of the new Softfit patient interface (PI) compared with the previous version PI used for femtosecond laser cataract surgery(LCS).
Methods
The Softfit PI is designed to conform to a soft contact lens insert to allow the natural curvature of the cornea. This study includes 200 eyes that underwent LCS in the period between June 2012 and August 2013.The initial 127 eyes underwent LCS with previous version PI (PV group), and the subsequent 73 eyes received LCS with Softfit PI (SF group). Anterior capsulotomy, lens fragmentation, and creation of the corneal incisions were performed with LenSx® femtosecond laser system (Alcon LenSx Lasers Inc.). All cases except one case were implanted by diffractive multifocal IOL.
Results
Anterior capsule tags occurred in 9.4% and 2.7% (p=0.06, Fisher's exact test) in the PV group and the SF group respectively, and in the cases of anterior capsule tears was seen 3.1% and 0% (p=0.15). Free-floating capsulotomy was 68.5% and 95.9% in those two groups (p<0.01). Posterior capsule tear and posterior lens dislocation did not occur in either group. Corrected distance visual acuity (decimal) were 1.01 and 1.08, and corrected near visual acuity were 0.60 and 0.62. There were no significant differences noted in postoperative visual acuity between the PV group and the SF group (p<0.05, Student's t-test).
Conclusion
Although not significant, in the SF group the percentage of anterior capsule tags and tears were lower than the PV group. In the SF group a significantly statistical lower number of free-floating capsulotomy was noted. This study reveals that in the SF group complications were reduced and successful outcomes increased.