Intraoperative complications of cataract surgery using a low-energy femtosecond laser: Results from a real-world high-volume setting

PLoS One. 2022 Dec 15;17(12):e0279023. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279023. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

In this study, we report data on intraoperative complications occurring after cataract surgery in a high-volume single-center setting using a low-energy, mobile femtosecond laser. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) in our hospital between August 2015 and December 2019. Among the sample of 1,806 eyes of 1,131 patients (903 left and 903 right eyes), the mean age was 75.8 years (range, 21-99 years). The overall intraoperative complication rate was 0.28% (n = 5), with three cases of anterior capsule tear (0.17%) and two cases of posterior capsule tear (0.11%). No further complications occurred. This study underlines the safety of low-energy femtosecond-assisted cataract surgery in a real-world setting with a very low rate of intraoperative complications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Cataract Extraction* / adverse effects
  • Cataract Extraction* / methods
  • Cataract* / etiology
  • Humans
  • Intraoperative Complications / epidemiology
  • Intraoperative Complications / etiology
  • Laser Therapy* / adverse effects
  • Laser Therapy* / methods
  • Phacoemulsification* / methods
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Visual Acuity

Grants and funding

This work was supported by a research grant by Ziemer Ophthalmic System AG, Port, Switzerland (https://www.ziemergroup.com/en/contact/addresses-and-locations/ziemer-ophthalmic-systems-ag/) The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis and decision to publish. The funders reviewed manuscript.