Side-Port Incision Patency and Influencing Factors in Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery
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Abstract
Purpose: To analyze the patency rate of side-port incisions in femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) and to assess the impact of limbus detection quality, arcus lipoides, and limbal vessels extent on incision patency in a prospective clinical unmasked single-centre study.
Methods: A total of 159 eyes from 123 patients undergoing FLACS with the FEMTO LDV Z8 laser were included. Side-port incision patency, limbus detection quality, arcus lipoides, and limbal vessels extent were evaluated per corneal quadrant using a standardized protocol.
Results: A total of 130 eyes and 259 paracenteses were submitted to analysis. Notably, side-port incision patency was achieved in 99.2% of cases, of which 2.7% showed bridges. In only 0.8% a blade was necessary to open the incisions. Quality of limbus detection, arcus lipoides, and limbal vessels did not significantly affect the patency rate (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: FLACS using the FEMTO LDV Z8 achieves exceptional side-port incision patency, establishing its reliability as an automated alternative to manual incisions.
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