title: Preliminary clinical investigation of cataract surgery with a noncontact femtosecond laser system.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) is rapidly gaining popularity due to the improved consistency and predictability for capsulorhexis. This study aimed to investigate the preliminary clinical outcomes of FLACS with a noncontact femtosecond laser system.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study enrolled 25 eyes in the trial group underwent FLACS (LLS-fs 3D, LENSAR, USA), and 29 eyes in the control group underwent conventional cataract surgery (Stellaris, Bausch & Lomb, USA). The phacoemulsification time, energy, and complications during operation were recorded. Postoperative refraction at 1 day, 1 week, 1 and 3 months, the capsulorhexis size and corneal endothelial density at 1 and 3 months were also measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to the control group, reduction in phacoemulsification time was 51.5% (P = 0.02), and in overall energy, 65.1% (P = 0.02) in the trial group. In the trial group and the control group, total time of cataract procedure was 10.04 ± 1.37 minutes, 10.52 ± 1.92 minutes, respectively (P = 0.31); the absolute difference between attempted and achieved capsulorhexis diameter at 1 month was 192.9 ± 212.0 µm, 626.9 ± 656.6 µm, respectively (P = 0.04), and at 3 months, 256.6 ± 181.9 µm, 572.1 ± 337.0 µm, respectively (P= 0.03); the absolute difference between attempted and achieved spherical equivalent at 3 months was 0.16 ± 0.16 D, 0.74 ± 0.65 D, respectively (P < 0.01); mean corneal endothelial cell loss at 1 month was 15.6% and 14.2%, respectively (P = 0.77), and at 3 months, 2.9%, 4.2%, respectively (P = 0.50).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With the noncontact femtosecond laser system, FLACS can significantly improve the accuracy and repeatability of capsulorhexis, reduce the phacoemulsification time and overall energy, and enhance the predictability and stability of postoperative refraction.
authors: The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, China, 270 Xueyuan West Road, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, P.R. China.
authors: A-Yong
authors: AY
authors: Yu
authors: The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, China, 270 Xueyuan West Road, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, P.R. China.
authors: Li-Yang
authors: LY
authors: Ni
authors: The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, China, 270 Xueyuan West Road, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, P.R. China.
authors: Qin-Mei
authors: QM
authors: Wang
authors: The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, China, 270 Xueyuan West Road, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, P.R. China.
authors: Fang
authors: F
authors: Huang
authors: The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, China, 270 Xueyuan West Road, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, P.R. China.
authors: Shuang-Qian
authors: SQ
authors: Zhu
authors: The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, China, 270 Xueyuan West Road, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, P.R. China.
authors: Lin-Yan
authors: LY
authors: Zheng
authors: The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, China, 270 Xueyuan West Road, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, P.R. China.
authors: Yan-Feng
authors: YF
authors: Su
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002386:Cataract / Q000473:pathology*; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity
keywords: capsulorhexis; cataract surgery; femtosecond laser; phacoemulsification