Implementation of Femtosecond Assisted Cataract Surgery: Results of an International Survey Among Ophthalmologists
Purpose
To determine the degree of implementation of a femtosecond laser on cataract surgery. Common knowledge is that Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery does not give better results than Phacoemulsification performed with expert hands. Controversy exists regarding in many aspects of decision, including patient selection, perioperative management decisions and other important choices.
Methods
A questionnaire regarding the potencial implementation of this technology was sent to ophthalmologists working in private practice. Comparisons were made with the X2 test.
Results
Forty participants (response rate = 80%) returned a completed survey. The 95% recommended laser-assisted cataract surgery for their patients (p=0.002), while only 68% recommended this technique to other physicians (p=0.0283). In terms of overall satisfaction, twenty surgeons reported being completely satisfied with phacoemulsification and no respondents reported being dissatisfied. More than half of the participants (52%) indicated that using the femtosecond laser helped reduce complications during phacoemulsification and thirty-two participants (80%) indicated that the femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery is a safer procedure. Thirteen participants (32%) indicated that laser assisted cataract surgery is the best procedure compared to other surgical alternatives.
Conclusion
Phacoemulsification is the most widely accepted standard for cataract extraction. Among participants who have used or currently use the femtosecond laser during cataract surgery, all perceive this procedure to be a benefit for both the patient and surgeon.