Femtosecond Lasers in Ophthalmology

Purpose To provide an update and review of femtosecond (FS) lasers in clinical ophthalmology. Design Perspective, literature review, and commentary. Methods Selected articles from the literature and the authors' clinical and laboratory studies. Results The FS laser employs near-infrared pulses...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of ophthalmology 2009-02, Vol.147 (2), p.189-197.e2
Main Authors: Soong, H. Kaz, Malta, João Baptista
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Colleges & universities
Corneal Diseases - surgery
Corneal Surgery, Laser - instrumentation
Eye diseases
Eye surgery
Humans
Lasers
Lasers, Solid-State - therapeutic use
Medical sciences
Miscellaneous
Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology - instrumentation
Prospective Studies
Surgery
Technological change
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Summary:Purpose To provide an update and review of femtosecond (FS) lasers in clinical ophthalmology. Design Perspective, literature review, and commentary. Methods Selected articles from the literature and the authors' clinical and laboratory studies. Results The FS laser employs near-infrared pulses to cut tissue with minimal collateral tissue damage. Although its major use at present is in the cutting of laser in situ keratomileusis flaps, the laser has proven its versatility in laser-assisted anterior and posterior lamellar keratoplasty, cutting of donor buttons in endothelial keratoplasty, customized trephination in penetrating keratoplasty, tunnel creation for intracorneal ring segments, astigmatic keratotomy, and corneal biopsy. Current laboratory studies include all–FS laser refractive keratomileusis sans flap, cutting corneal pockets for insertion of biopolymer keratoprostheses, noninvasive transscleral glaucoma surgery, retinal imaging and photodisruption, presbyopia surgery, and anterior lens capsulorrhexis. Conclusions Advances in ultra-fast laser technology continue to improve the surgical safety, efficiency, speed, and versatility of FS lasers in ophthalmology.
ISSN:0002-9394
1879-1891
DOI:10.1016/j.ajo.2008.08.026