|Articles|April 1, 2016

Using femtosecond lasers in eyes with previous surgery

Dr. Donaldson explains that prior corneal surgery does not necessarily indicate that FLACS would be ineffective. However, there are some immediate disqualifications to bear in mind.

Reviewed by Kendall Donaldson, MD

Take-home message: Dr. Donaldson explains that prior corneal surgery does not necessarily indicate that FLACS would be ineffective. However, there are some immediate disqualifications to bear in mind.

Miami-Femtosecond laser technology may not be the right choice for every patient presenting for cataract surgery, said Kendall Donaldson, MD, associate professor of clinical ophthalmology and medical director of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at Plantation, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami.

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“As we approach these cases, we need to ask how the femtosecond laser will provide this patient with a better outcome,” she said. Each case should be treated individually with consideration toward reducing additional risk to either the lens or cornea.

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“We certainly don’t want to add risk to the cornea by having a perforated limbal relaxing incision if there is thinning of the cornea,” she said. “With the lens, we don’t want to have an incomplete rhexis that leads to tags or adds difficulty to the case.” 

Related: Managing cataracts with ocular surface disease

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