Use of Femtosecond Laser to Aid in Cataract Surgery for Anterior Subcapsular Cataract

Tuesday, April 29, 2014: 1:31 PM
Room 151A (Boston Convention and Exhibition Center)
Elizabeth R. Richter, MD, PhD, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
Matthew J. Nutaitis, MD, MUSC- Storm Eye Institute, Charleston, SC, USA

Narrative Responses:

Purpose
To evaluate use of a femtosecond laser to assist in cataract surgery on a dense anterior subcapsular (polar) cataract

Methods
We used a femtosecond laser to make the capsullorhexis and corneal incisions prior to phacoemulsfication in an woman with dense anterior subcapsular (polar) cataract. Many characteristics of operative success were analyzed: surgical time, phaco energy used, fluid requirements, surgical outcome, postoperative visual acuity, as well as accompanying photos+videos of the surgical technique.

Results
This is the first reported use of a femtosecond laser to assist in removal of an anterior subcapsular cataract.  Strategies for improvement of surgical outcomes will be discussed as well.

Conclusion
Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery is an excellent addition to the management strategy on anterior subcapsular cataracts and should be considered when available.