Evaluation of Femtosecond Laser Intrastromal Incision Location Using Optical Coherence Tomography.

PURPOSE: To use optical coherence tomography (OCT) to evaluate the femtosecond laser intrastromal incisions made during cataract surgery to reduce corneal astigmatism.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

PARTICIPANTS

Seventy-seven eyes of 77 patients.

METHODS

Paired intrastromal incisions were created using the Catalys femtosecond laser (Abbott Medical Optics, Inc., Santa Ana, CA). The planned intrastromal incision parameters were 20% uncut anterior, 20% uncut posterior, midpoint depth of 50%, and 90° side cut angle. Optical coherence tomography scans were obtained 3 weeks or more after surgery to assess these 4 parameters, and actual values were compared with intended values.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Percentages of uncut anterior and posterior tissue, midpoint depth, and degrees of side cut angle.

RESULTS

The mean values were 17.2±5.8% (range, 7.2%-36.9%) for uncut anterior, 32.5±8.8% (range, 6.0%-57.9%) for uncut posterior, and 42.3±6.6% (range, 25.5%-65.4%) for midpoint depth, which all were significantly different from the planned parameters (all P < 0.05). The mean side cut angle was 88.5°±5.6° (range, 71°-114°) and was significantly different from the planned side cut angle of 90° (P < 0.05). In 50 eyes that had paired intrastromal incisions scanned by the OCT, there was no correlation between the paired incisions for midpoint depth and side cut angle (correlation coefficient, r = -0.063 and -0.067, respectively; P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The intrastromal incision midpoint depth was significantly more anterior than the planned depth of 50%. The locations of paired intrastromal incisions in each eye were not correlated. Further improvements are needed to ensure the precise location of the intrastromal incisions made with this device.