University of Tasmania
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Anterior capsulotomy integrity after femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 00:42 authored by Abell, RG, Davies, PEJ, Phelan, D, Karsten GoemannKarsten Goemann, McPherson, ZE, Vote, BJ

Objective: To compare the incidence of anterior capsular tears after femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) versus phacoemulsification cataract surgery (PCS) and to assess the ultrastructural features of anterior capsulotomy specimens (FLACS and PCS) using electron microscopy.

Design: Prospective, multicenter, comparative cohort case series.

Participants: Consecutive patients undergoing FLACS or PCS.

Methods: A prospective cohort study of all patients (n = 1626) undergoing FLACS or PCS by 2 surgeons from centers A and B was undertaken to compare the incidence of anterior capsule tears. Anterior lens capsules were collected by 4 surgeons from centers A, B, C, and D using 3 different commercially available femtosecond platforms, each with latest version upgrades. Lens capsule tissue was prepared for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) using a total of 10 samples for patients undergoing PCS, and 40 samples for patients undergoing FLACS.

Main Outcome Measures: Incidence of anterior capsule tear and comparative ultrastructural features of capsular samples from both PCS and FLACS cases.

Results: There was a significantly increased rate of anterior capsule tears in the FLACS group (15/804 [1.87%]) when compared with the PCS group (1/822 [0.12%]; P = 0.0002, Fisher exact test). In 7 cases, the anterior capsule tear extended to the posterior capsule. Because all cases had occurred in complete capsulotomy, the integrity of the anterior capsule was questioned in the FLACS group. Subsequent SEM sampling showed irregularity at the capsule margin, as well as multiple apparently misplaced laser pits in normal parts of the tissue. Aberrant pits were approximately 2 to 4 μm apart and occurred at a range of 10 to 100 μm radially from the capsule edge.

Conclusions: Laser anterior capsulotomy integrity seems to be compromised by postage-stamp perforations and additional aberrant pulses, possibly because of fixational eye movements. This can lead to an increased rate of anterior capsule tears, and extra care should be taken during surgery after femtosecond laser pretreatment has been performed. A learning curve may account for some of the increased complication rate with FLACS. However, the SEM features raise safety concerns for capsular integrity after FLACS and warrant further investigation.

History

Publication title

Ophthalmology

Volume

121

Article number

2013-617

Number

2013-617

Pagination

17-24

ISSN

0161-6420

Publisher

Elsevier Science Inc

Place of publication

360 Park Ave South, New York, USA, Ny, 10010-1710

Rights statement

Copyright 2014 American Academy of Opthalmology

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Treatment of human diseases and conditions

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Categories

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC