PURPOSE

To optimize the technique of intumescent cataract phacoemulsification by involving the use of femtosecond lasers.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Group 1 included 29 patients (30 eyes) with mature intumescent cataract, who underwent femtolaser-assisted phacoemulsification using a new, optimized technique. Group 2 included 20 patients (20 eyes), in whom the femtolaser stage was performed using the standard technique. Patients of groups 1 and 2 were almost identical in all preoperative parameters. The optimized femto-capsulorhexis technique included: preoperative assessment of intralenticular pressure, staining of the anterior capsule of the swelling lens with trypan blue, introduction of a viscoelastic with high molecular weight into the anterior chamber to balance intraocular and intralenticular pressures, increasing the laser energy when performing anterior capsulorhexis up to 10 mJ.

RESULTS

In group 1, there was a non-penetration of the anterior capsule in 2 eyes, in one of them in the 30° sector, in the second — in the 45° sector. Leakage of lens material into the anterior chamber and the floating anterior capsule were not observed in patients of group 1. In group 2, non-penetration of the anterior capsule was observed in 6 eyes, in the 45—60° sector — in 2 eyes, in the 90° sector — in 3 eyes, in the 180° sector — in 1 eye. Floating anterior capsule was observed in 5 cases. Leakage of lens material into the anterior chamber was observed in 9 eyes.

CONCLUSION

The optimized technique of femtolaser-assisted intumescent cataract phacoemulsification eliminates leakage of lens material into the anterior chamber and allows performing anterior capsulorhexis of given size and shape.