title: The evolution of corneal and refractive surgery with the femtosecond laser.
abstract: The use of femtosecond lasers has created an evolution in modern corneal and refractive surgery. With accuracy, safety, and repeatability, eye surgeons can utilize the femtosecond laser in almost all anterior refractive procedures; laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE), penetrating keratoplasty (PKP), insertion of intracorneal ring segments, anterior and posterior lamellar keratoplasty (Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) and Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK)), insertion of corneal inlays and cataract surgery. As the technology matures, it will push surgical limits and open new avenues for ophthalmic intervention in areas not yet explored. As we witness the transition from femto-LASIK to femto-cataract surgery it becomes obvious that this innovation is here to stay. This article presents some of the most relevant advances of femtosecond lasers to modern corneal and refractive surgery.
authors.affiliation: Laser Institute Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Antonis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aristeidou
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA ; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Schepens Eye Research Institute, Boston Keratoprosthesis Laboratory, Harvard Medical School, Boston, 02114 MA USA.
authors.forename: Elise V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Taniguchi
authors.affiliation: Southampton University Hospitals, Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tsatsos
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA.
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Muller
authors.affiliation: Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia Australia ; Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang China.
authors.forename: Colm
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McAlinden
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pineda
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA ; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Schepens Eye Research Institute, Boston Keratoprosthesis Laboratory, Harvard Medical School, Boston, 02114 MA USA.
authors.forename: Eleftherios I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Paschalis
keywords: Cataract surgery; Corneal surgery; Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty; Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty; Femtosecond; Laser; Laser in situ keratomileusis; Penetrating keratoplasty; Refractive; Small incision lenticule extraction