Applications of the femtosecond laser in corneal refractive surgery.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The femtosecond laser has become a rapidly and widely adopted technology for surgeons performing refractive surgery. With the advances in femtosecond lasers, clinical outcomes and safety with their use have improved. The purpose of this review is to outline the current surgical applications of the femtosecond laser in corneal refractive surgery.

RECENT FINDINGS: Many surgeons have adopted femtosecond technology for the creation of the laser in-situ keratomileusis flap secondary to its improved safety, precision and reproducibility. Other applications include astigmatic keratotomy, channel creation for the insertion of intrastromal corneal ring segments, femtosecond lenticule extraction, facilitating the insertion of corneal inlays as well as in intrastromal presbyopia correction (IntraCOR). Further novel applications continue to be developed.

SUMMARY: This review outlines the recent advances and applications of the femtosecond laser in corneal refractive surgery.