Combined Carbon Dioxide Laser Lateral Canthotomy and Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery

Randal Tanh Hoang Pham

Aesthetic and Refractive Surgery Medical Center, San Jose, USA.

DOI: 10.4236/mps.2013.34027                

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new procedure aimed at lengthening the palpebral fissure to facilitate femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery in patients with small eyes. Method: A quick procedure using the CO₂ laser was adapted for patients with small eyes undergoing laser-assisted cataract surgery using the Catalys system. The UniPulse CO₂ laser (Nidek) was used for laser lateral canthotomy on patients with small palpebral fissures to allow fitting of the Liquid Optic^TM Interface eyepiece. Results: Lateral canthotomies were performed on 19 women and 7 men (ages ranged from 45 to 93 years) with lower eyelid lengths equal to or shorter than 32 mm who then underwent femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery. A total of 33 eyelids received laser lateral canthotomy with the CO₂ laser; only one eyelid had lateral canthotomy with cold-steel tenotomy scissors. Dockings were completed for all 34 eyes with eyelids receiving lateral canthotomies. The 33 eyes with eyelids that received laser canthotomy with the CO₂ laser had successful femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery. The one eye with the eyelid that received cold-steel canthotomy could not have femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery despite successful docking because of pupillary constriction. The findings were statistically significant; Fisher Exact Test showed a p-value of 0.0294. Conclusion: Laser lateral canthotomy with CO₂ laser is a safe and effective method to allow docking and completion of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery.

Keywords

Cataract; Laser; CO2 Laser; Femtosecond Laser; Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery; Refractive Surgery; Laser Refractive surgery; LASIK; PRK; LASEK; ALK; RLE; EpiLASIK; PRELEX; ICR; Phakic Intraocular Lens Implant; AK; RK; Cataract Surgery San Jose

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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