How to avoid intraoperative complications with the femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery

Abstract

Compared to traditional phacoemulsification, the femtosecond laser assisted cata-ract surgery (FLACS) offers many unique advantages, including effective phaco time (EPT) and cumulative dissipated energy(CDE) reduction, better corneal incision morphology, precise capsulorhexis, and better intraocular lens (IOL) stability and position predictability. However, a new technique may develop accompanying with complications. From slightly to severely, complications include suction break, repeated patient interface docking, subconjunctival hemorrhage, corneal incision assisted with keratome or dislocation of corneal incision, pupillary constriction, anterior capsulotomy tags, anterior capsule tear, posterior capsule rupture, vitreous loss, posterior lens dislocation, and capsular block syndrome (CBS). Perfect FLACS presents great advantages, but these advantages of femtosecond laser will disappear and even the postoperative vision acuity will be damaged heavily when severe intraoperative complications occur. Therefore, it is the present important issue to avoid or reduce the intraoperative complications with FLACS. Now this paper will focus on how to avoid or reduce the intraoperative complications with FLACS. All contents related to the operation is covered, from patient selection to the details of surgical techniques. Key words: Cataract; Intraoperative complications; Femtosecond laser