Femtosecond laser–assisted cataract surgery: First clinical results with special regard to central corneal thickness, endothelial cell count, and aqueous flare levels

PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical data and outcomes after femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery with the recently introduced low-energy Femto LDV Z8 laser during a 3-month follow-up. SETTING: Knappschaft Eye Clinic Sulzbach, Knappschaft Hospital Saar GmbH, Sulzbach, Germany. DESIGN: Consecutive case series. METHODS: Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery was performed using the low-energy femtosecond laser. Clinical data including objective refraction, corrected distance visual acuity, central corneal thickness (CCT), endothelial cell count (ECC), and aqueous flare were evaluated 1 day, 1 week, 4 weeks, and 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The median CCT and aqueous flare were statistically significantly elevated during the first day and 4 weeks after surgery, respectively (P < .001). There were no significant differences between CCT preoperatively and 1 week postoperatively (P = .079) and aqueous flare preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively (P = .082). No statistically significant difference was found in the median ECC and spherical equivalent refraction between preoperatively and postoperatively (P > .05). CONCLUSION: Visual outcomes and investigated parameters reflecting corneal integrity indicated safe and atraumatic surgery using a new low-energy femtosecond laser for laser-assisted cataract surgery (including capsulotomy and lens fragmentation). FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: None of the authors has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.