Purpose: To evaluate the safety of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) combined with 25- or 27-gauge vitrectomy.
Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent FLACS combined with 25- or 27-gauge vitrectomy at the Jikei University School of Medicine in Tokyo, Japan, between August 2016 and April 2018 and were followed up for ≥ 3 months postoperatively. In all cases, anterior capsulotomies and fragmentations of crystalline lenses were performed using a femtosecond laser. After FLACS, 25- or 27-gauge vitrectomy was performed. All intraoperative and postoperative complications due to FLACS and vitrectomy were examined.
Results: A total of 34 eyes from 34 patients were included. In 33 cases, complete coverage of the intraocular lens (IOL) by the anterior capsular edge was achieved. One case had posterior capsule rupture due to mis-suction during emulsification and aspiration of a fragment of the nuclear lens after capsulotomy. The IOL was fixed at the sulcus. Postoperative complications included endophthalmitis and macular edema in one eye, epiretinal membranes in two eyes, and postoperative capsular opacification in two eyes. The femtosecond laser caused no postoperative complications. There were no cases of intraoperative or postoperative iris capture or IOL subluxation.
Conclusions: In most cases, FLACS provided good IOL fixation in the capsule without affecting the intra- or extraocular pressure and good vision during or after the operation. FLACS combined with 25- or 27-gauge vitrectomy should be performed considering the advantages and disadvantages of femtosecond laser usage.
Clinical trial registration: Japan Clinical Trials Register; number: UMIN000021814.
Keywords: Capsulotomy; Complication; FLACS; Femtosecond laser; Vitrectomy.