Current corneal femtosecond laser techniques

Abstract

The technological advances in ophthalmology, and especially those concerning the field of refractive surgery, have led the scientific community to the introduction of lasers with ultra fast pulses. Femtosecond laser function is based on the fact that ultra short infrared laser pulses are precisely focused inside the corneal tissue. At the focal point, tissue is disrupted and a small bubble is created. By placing these bubbles next to each other in a specific pattern, it is possible to create a cut that can have virtually any shape and position. Femtosecond lasers have been developed to decrease the energy necessary to incise tissues and minimize the thermal damage of the surrounding structures. The accuracy, safety and predictability of this new technology is proven every day in clinical practice, and a continuous line of new applications in corneal surgery confirm its efficacy and value.

Keywords::

• astigmatic keratotomy
• diagnostic corneal biopsy
• FAAK
• FAB
• FALK
• femtosecond laser
• intrastromal corneal ring segment implantation
• penetrating keratoplasty
• postkeratoplasty irregular astigmatism
• sutureless anterior lamellar keratoplasty

Financial & competing interests disclosure

George D Kymionis was supported by a grant from the Hellenic Society of Intraocular Implant and Refractive Surgery. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.