Refractive and therapeutic applications of femtosecond laser corneal surgery

Abstract

AbstractPurpose Femtosecond laser (FSL) devices, based on the physical phenomena of ultrashort laser pulses in the sub‐picosecond range of duration, have gained significant interest in ophthalmology thanks to their potential for high‐precision microsurgery, particularly in applications involving the transparent tissue of the cornea that take the greatest advantage of these attributes. The potential advantages and limits in using FSL in the field of refractive corneal surgery and keratoplasty are presented.Methods FSL is applied in performing LASIK flap, femtosecond laser lenticule extraction, deep lamellar (DALK), and DSEK lenticule preparation. Clinical and histological analysis was performed.Results FSL LASIK procedures produced excellent clinical and morphological results, with great precision achieved in flap thickness and morphology. FSL refractive lenticule extraction enables the treatment of myopia and astigmatism without the use of the excimer laser. FSL technology enables multiple cut configurations and customized‐shaped lamellar keratoplasty techniques. Transmission electron microscopy revealed precise geometry and good quality of the cuts.Conclusion Femtosecond laser technology may offer further promising approaches towards all‐FSL refractive surgery, and dissection procedures in the field of corneal transplantation