One-Year Results of Arcuate Keratotomy in Patients With Low to Moderate Corneal Astigmatism Using a Low-Pulse-Energy Femtosecond Laser

Refractive Astigmatism Outcomes of Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Arcuate Keratotomies Combined with Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery: Two-Year Results

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effectiveness and stability of refractive astigmatism reduction after penetrating femtosecond laser-assisted arcuate keratotomy performed at the time of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery.

METHODS

Non-randomized retrospective data analysis of all patients that underwent femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery with femtosecond laser-assisted arcuate keratotomy over a 4-year period with a non-toric monofocal intraocular lens (2017-2021) at a tertiary care academic center. Postoperative visual acuity, manifest refraction, and predicted residual refractive error were also recorded at 1 month, 3-6 months, 12-18 months, and 2 years postoperatively. Preoperative keratometric astigmatism was compared to postoperative refractive astigmatism using vector calculations and the ASCRS double-angle plot tool.

RESULTS

This study comprised 266 eyes (179 patients) that met inclusion criteria. The mean preoperative keratometric astigmatism magnitude was 0.99 ± 0.53 D. At 1 month, 3-6 months, 12-18 months, and 2 years postoperatively, the mean refractive cylinder was 0.49 ± 0.45 D, 0.49 ± 0.45 D, 0.55 ± 0.54 D, and 0.52 ± 0.46 D, respectively. Horizontal against-the-rule astigmatism showed a higher tendency toward undercorrection than vertical with-the-rule astigmatism, which had a slightly higher tendency toward overcorrection. With-the-rule astigmatism had smaller difference vectors between target-induced astigmatism and surgically induced astigmatism.

CONCLUSIONS

Femtosecond laser-assisted arcuate keratotomy performed at the time of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery was an effective option for correcting low-to-moderate corneal astigmatism for up to 2 years.

Using Total Corneal Astigmatism With Femtosecond Laser Cataract Surgery and Arcuate Keratotomy(ies) to Treat Low Amounts of Astigmatism

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes using total corneal astigmatism (TCA) to calculate arcuate keratotomy(ies) (AK) parameters performed with femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery to reduce low corneal astigmatism.

METHODS

Patients who had femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery and AK with 0.50 diopter (D) to 1.30 D of TCA were included. Exclusion criteria were intraoperative complications, preexisting corneal surgery, and comorbidities that might adversely affect outcomes. Corneal tomography (Galilei G4, Zeimer Ophthalmic Systems AG) was performed preoperatively and 1 month postoperatively. TCA was input into the Donnenfeld limbal relaxing incisions nomogram to calculate the AK parameters. Preoperative and postoperative tomographic and subjective refractive measurements were compared. The Alpins method for vector analysis evaluated results.

RESULTS

Eighty-two eyes of 82 patients were included. Mean preoperative TCA was significantly reduced from 0.80 ± 0.19 D to 0.51 D ± 0.26 D (P < 0.001). Preoperative posterior corneal astigmatism, -0.28 ± 0.13 D, was unchanged, postoperative posterior corneal astigmatism, -0.28 ± 0.14 D (P = 0.653). Target-induced astigmatism arithmetic mean (0.82 ± 0.21 D) was greater than that of the surgically induced astigmatism (0.70 ± 0.40 D), resulting in an arithmetic mean difference vector of 0.51 ± 0.27 D with a summated mean at 0.16 D at 20 degrees. The correction index was 0.87, indicating undercorrection. Angle of error arithmetic mean, -1.27 ± 23.27 degrees, indicated good alignment.

CONCLUSIONS

Inputting TCA for calculation of femtosecond laser AK parameters can reduce low amounts of preoperative corneal astigmatism, thereby improving uncorrected vision.

Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Ophthalmic Surgery: From Laser Fundamentals to Clinical Applications

Femtosecond laser (FSL) technology has created an evolution in ophthalmic surgery in the last few decades. With the advantage of high precision, accuracy, and safety, FSLs have helped surgeons overcome surgical limits in refractive surgery, corneal surgery, and cataract surgery. They also open new avenues in ophthalmic areas that are not yet explored. This review focuses on the fundamentals of FSLs, the advantages in interaction between FSLs and tissues, and typical clinical applications of FSLs in ophthalmology. With the rapid progress that has been made in the state of the art research on FSL technologies, their applications in ophthalmic surgery may soon undergo a booming development.

Femtosecond laser-assisted arcuate keratotomy for the management of corneal astigmatism in patients undergoing cataract surgery: Comparison with conventional cataract surgery

Purpose

To assess the effects of femtosecond laser arcuate keratotomy with femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery in the management of corneal astigmatism, compared with conventional phacoemulsification cataract surgery.

Design

Retrospective comparative interventional case series.

Methods

A total of 2,498 eyes of consecutive patients who presented with 3.00 diopters (D) or under of astigmatism were included. The patients were treated with conventional phacoemulsification cataract surgery (conventional group) and femtosecond laser arcuate keratotomy with femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (femtosecond group).

Results

Surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) was higher in the femtosecond group than the conventional group (0.215, p < 0.001). Difference vector (DV) was lower in the femtosecond group (-0.136, p < 0.001). The cut-off value of the overcorrection in the femtosecond group was 0.752 D of target induced astigmatism (TIA). For patients with TIA 0.75 D or under, DV and the value of index of success (TIA into DV) were significantly higher in the femtosecond group (p = 0.022 and < 0.001). The overcorrection ratios were 48.8% in the conventional and 58.9% in the femtosecond group. (p < 0.001). For patients with TIA over 0.75 D, SIA and correction index (TIA into SIA) was higher in femtosecond group (0.310 and 0.250, p < 0.001 and < 0.001, respectively). Absolute angle of error was 20.612 ± 18.497 in the femtosecond group and higher than the conventional group (2.778, p = 0.010).

Conclusion

Femtosecond laser arcuate keratotomy in cataract surgery was effective in SIA between 0.75 to 3.00 D of corneal astigmatism. However, the overcorrection in the lower astigmatism and angle of error in the higher astigmatism were due to the postoperative corneal astigmatism not decreasing as much as SIA. Overcoming these challenges will lead to better management of corneal astigmatism.

Cataract surgery astigmatism incisional management. Manual relaxing incision versus femtosecond laser-assisted arcuate keratotomy. A systematic review

PURPOSE

This systematic review aims to compare corneal astigmatism correction in cataract surgery through corneal relaxing incision, manually and femtosecond laser assisted.

METHODS

The study was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement recommendations. We used PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (WOS) as databases from January 2010 to March 30, 2021. Patients with keratoconus, corneal ectasia, and a previous history of eye surgery were excluded because our aim was to analyze only healthy eyes.

RESULTS

A total of 1025 eyes were evaluated from 946 patients (mean age was 68.90 ± 5.12) in manual incision group articles, while 1905 eyes of 1483 patients (mean age was 65.05 ± 4.57) were evaluated in femtosecond laser arcuate keratotomy (FLAK) articles. The mean uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) was 0.19 ± 0.12 and 0.15 ± 0.05 logMAR for manual incision and FLAK articles, respectively (p = 0.39). The mean correction index (CI) was similar in both groups: 0.77 ± 0.18 in manual incision and 0.79 ± 0.17 in femtosecond laser assisted incision (p = 0.70). Refractive stability was found after 3 months and no serious complications were reported during the follow-up in any group.

CONCLUSION

Both techniques are safe and moderately effective in corneal astigmatism correction in cataract surgery. FLAK represents a more precise and predictable approach. However, since visual and refractive outcomes appear to be similar in both cases, the cost-benefit analysis is controversial.

Precision and refractive predictability of a new nomogram for femtosecond laser-assisted corneal arcuate incisions

PURPOSE

Validating a new nomogram for low to moderate astigmatism (0.75 D to 2.5 D) correction with epithelium- and Bowman-penetrating femtosecond laser-assisted arcuate incisions.

METHODOLOGY

Prospective, interventional case series at the Augen- und Laserklinik, Castrop-Rauxel, Germany. Cataract patients with low to moderate corneal astigmatism were treated with femtosecond laser-assisted arcuate incisions. Patients with previous refractive corneal treatment were excluded. Outcome assessment was based on manifest refraction, astigmatic vector analysis and visual acuity.

RESULTS

The study analysed 43 eyes of 33 patients after three months and 35 eyes of 27 patients after 12 months. After 12 months, 100% of all eyes treated had ≤1.0 D and 97% ≤0.5 D of subjective residual astigmatism. Mean residual astigmatism was 0.27 D. 90% of all eyes were within one line of difference between UDVA and CDVA. SEQ Mean Absolute Error was 0.26 D and SEQ. Mean error was -0.08 ± 0.32 D. CI was 0.98 ± 0.2 D, and Index of Success, 0.20 ± 0.18 D.

CONCLUSION

The Castrop nomogram showed results that are comparable to or better than results presented in the literature for existing nomograms. Our results for astigmatic reduction are comparable to published results for TIOL implantation. It seems to be a predictable and safe measure to reduce manifest astigmatism.

Lasting Effects: Seven Year Results of the Castrop Nomogram for Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Paired Corneal Arcuate Incisions

PURPOSE

Long-term results of arcuate incisions are rarely reported. This is unfortunate as long-term stability of astigmatic correction is of great interest to surgeons performing astigmatic correction. This study investigates the 7 year stability of results after application of femtosecond laser-assisted arcuate incisions with the Castrop nomogram.

METHODS

Prospective interventional case series at the Augen- und Laserklinik, Castrop-Rauxel, Germany. Single site, single surgeon study. Seven year results of cataract patients with low to moderate corneal astigmatism receiving femtosecond laser-assisted arcuate incisions using a TechnolasVictus SW 2.7 (Bausch & Lomb Inc, Dornach, Germany) were assessed and compared to 1 year results. Outcome evaluation was based on astigmatic vector analysis, manifest refraction, and visual acuity.

RESULTS

The study analyzed 19 eyes of 19 patients 7 years after surgery. Ocular residual astigmatism changed from -0.26 to -0.39 D. Preoperative corneal astigmatism was -1.51 D. Correction Index changed from 1.0 to 1.16. The magnitude of difference vector changed from 0.26 to 0.39 D. The index of success changed from 0.20 to 0.29. Spherical equivalent remained stable. A slight tendency to change toward astigmatic overcorrection was mainly observed for patients with preoperative with the rule astigmatism, but not with patients with against the rule astigmatism.

CONCLUSIONS

The Castrop nomogram showed stable results 7 years after surgery. Similar to toric IOL surgery, it is advisable to be less aggressive when correcting with the rule astigmatism, to avoid overcorrection over a long period.

Clinical Outcomes After Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Arcuate Corneal Incisions versus Manual Incisions

Purpose

To compare the relative effectiveness of Verion-LenSx guided femtosecond arcuate incisions and manual incisions in reducing postoperative refractive astigmatism.

Patients and Methods

This was a contralateral eye, prospective study that included subjects with 0.50 D to 1.75 D of corneal astigmatism who wanted less refractive astigmatism post cataract surgery. The surgeon used anterior keratometry and the Woodcock astigmatism nomogram for preoperative planning, while the LenSx femtosecond laser with the Verion Image Guided System was used to create all laser arcuate incisions. Manual incisions were planned using the Donnenfeld nomogram and made with a fixed-depth diamond knife. The primary outcome measure was the residual refractive astigmatism at 3 months postoperative. Secondary outcome measures included the manifest refraction, uncorrected distance visual acuity and the change in corneal astigmatism from 1 to 3 months postoperative.

Results

Forty-one subjects were successfully enrolled in the study, with data from 38 subjects available at 3 months. There were no statistically significant differences in refractive astigmatism, corneal astigmatism, uncorrected distance visual acuity or manifest refraction between the Manual and Femto groups at either 1 month or 3 months. Significant changes in refractive and corneal astigmatism were noted between 1 months and 3 months. Ninety percent of eyes in both groups had ≤0.50 D of refractive astigmatism at 3 months. Two minor non-serious adverse events (full-thickness incisions of the cornea) occurred in two eyes of two different subjects in the Manual group; they were resolved without incident.

Conclusion

Laser arcuate incisions appear to be an effective means of reducing postoperative refractive astigmatism at the time of cataract surgery. No significant clinical differences were observed between incisions made manually and those made with an image-guided femto-second laser system. The lower number of minor adverse events experienced with the femtosecond laser system is an apparent advantage.