Femtosecond laser has again proven greater accuracy with regard to capsulotomy (incision in lens capsule) versus manual techniques.  In a study, 25 patients underwent bilateral (both eyes) cataract surgery, with the capsulorrhexis.  Capsulorrhexis is the surgical procedure of the front of the eye to enable removal of opaque lens removal.  One eye, the Optimedica femtosecond laser was used, while the other eye, the surgeon utilized strategic use of hand manipulated surgical instruments.

“These results show that the OptiMedica femtosecond laser system does provide a significant improvement in the reproducibility of our capsulotomy size, shape and centration when compared with experienced surgeons using the manual capsulorrhexis, “  Stephen S. Lane, MD said.

Study results showed that manual capsulorrhexis size varied by 248 µm.  Laser capsulotomy size varied by 25 µm.  The laser capsulotomies also had fewer tears and irregularities than manual capsulorrhexis, Dr. Lane said.

Ocular Surgery News, November 25, 2010 Femtosecond Laser Enhances Capsulotomy Centration, Shape. p. 31

Cynthia Matossian, MD