Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery vs. Phacoemulsification: Overall Safety and the Effect on the Corneal Endothelium

AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo summarize current evidence on the safety of cataract surgery with and without the femtosecond laserRecent FindingsLarge studies, including a government-financed randomized controlled trial, have consistently failed to demonstrate any additional safety benefit from femtosecond laser –assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) when compared to manual phaco. Additional high-quality studies, such as the European Society for Cataract and Refractive Surgery EUREQUO FLACS Study, suggest that manual cataract surgery actually has fewer complications. The data on whether FLACS reduces endothel ial cell count loss are mixed. Similarly, proof of a significant improvement in refractive outcomes from FLACS has not been demonstrated.SummaryAlthough individual surgeon preferences for FLACS may continue, current evidence shows that it is at best noninferior to standard manual cataract surgery. Given the additional costs associated with use of FLACS, ophthalmologists discussing this technology with patients should take care not to overstate its potential benefits.
Source: Current Ophthalmology Reports - Category: Opthalmology Source Type: research