Clinical observation on femtosecond laser-assisted ultrasonic phacoemulsification

Abstract

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of femtosecond laser-assisted ultrasonic phacoemulsification. Methods In this prospective study, total of 131 eyes of 85 age related cataract patients with age 40-75 years were collected and divided into two groups. Femtosecondlaser group included 63 eyes of 42 cases, they received femtosecond laser-assisted ultrasonic phacoemulsifcation.Traditional group included 68 eyes of 43 cases, they reveived traditional phacoemulsifcation.Phacoemulsification power and time were recorded for each procedure.Endothelial cell density, central corneal thickness, visual acuity and complications were noted.Data were analyzed using independent t test , χ2 test and Mann-Whitney U test. Results The patient’s demographics parameters, such as age, gender, cataract grade, did not differ significantly between groups(P>0.05). The effective phacoemulsification time (EPT) of (4.81±2.14)s in the laser group were significantly lower than that of(10.34±2.31)s in the traditional group (t=3.025, P=0.003). The cumulative dissipated energy (CDE) of 5.78%±3.18% in the laser group were significantly lower than that of 8.92%±5.16% in the traditional group (z=2.598, P=0.009). The percentage of corneal endothelial cell loss was significantly lower in the laser group than in the traditional group(1week postoperation: χ2=7.273, P=0.007; 3 months postoperation: χ2=5.16, P=0.015). There was no significant difference in the UCVA or BCVA between two groups(t=0.550, P=0.583; t=0.498, P=0.619). There were no severe surgical complication in both groups. Conclusion Femtosecond laser-assisted ultrasonic phacoemulsification is safe and effictive the same as conventional ultrasonic phacoemulsification. The former can significantly lower effective phacoemulsification time and ultrasonic energy.Although femtosecond laser-assisted ultrasonic phacoemulsification still requires a certain learning curve. Key words: Ultrasonic phacoemulsification , femtosecond laser assised; Effective phacoemulsification time; Cumulative dissipated energy; Corneal endothelial cell density