Outcomes of Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery Compared to Conventional Phacoemulsification in Eyes with Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome

ABSTRACT

Objective

To compare the outcomes including complications, in a large cohort of eyes with pseudoexfoliation syndrome that underwent Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS) versus conventional phacoemulsification.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Participants

A total of 513 eyes from 366 patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome that underwent cataract surgery between April 1, 2014, and December 31, 2018.

Methods

Charts were reviewed for preoperative examination findings, intraoperative complications, and post-operative outcomes. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was measured by logMAR and compared between groups at one month and the final follow-up visit.

Results

Of 513 eyes, 71 (13.8%) underwent FLACS, and 442 (86.2%) eyes underwent conventional cataract surgery. Between the two groups, there was no difference in the incidence of vitreous prolapse, capsular tear, pupillary expansion device usage, capsular tension support device usage, or postoperative cystoid macular edema (p > .05 for all). At the final visit, there was no significant difference in BCVA between FLACS and conventional phacoemulsification groups (mean logMAR 0.26 vs. 0.25, p = .87).

Conclusions

When comparing FLACS and conventional phacoemulsification in eyes with pseudoexfoliation syndrome, no difference was seen in the incidence of complications. BCVA was comparable between the two groups. Zonular weakness significantly increased the risk of complications in both groups.

KEYWORDS:

• Cataract surgery complications
• femtosecond-laser assisted cataract surgery
• FLACS
• pseudoexfoliation
• pseudoexfoliation syndrome

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

Supported in part by NIH Center Core Grant P30EY01480;Research to Prevent Blindness Unrestricted Grant