Comparison of Continuous Curvilinear Capsulorhexis Parameters between Femtosecond Laser and Conventional Cataract Surgery

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare parameters of femtosecond laser and manual continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC) using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). METHODS: Femtosecond laser cataract surgery was performed in 30 eyes of 30 patients, and conventional cataract surgery with a manual CCC in 30 eyes of 30 patients. One month after surgery, CCC diameters, circularity of capsulotomy, and distance between the CCC and pupil center were analyzed using the AS-OCT. RESULTS: Mean maximal CCC diameter was 4.96 +/- 0.23 mm in the femtosecond laser group, and 4.70 +/- 0.82 mm in the manual CCC group. Mean minimal CCC diameter was 4.91 +/- 0.23 mm in the femtosecond group, and 4.48 +/- 0.64 mm in the manual CCC group showing significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.000). Circularity of capsulotomy was 0.99 +/- 0.01 in the femtosecond group and 0.91 +/- 0.13 in the manual CCC group and was statistically different between the 2 groups (p = 0.000). The distance from the CCC center to the pupil center was 0.18 +/- 0.09 mm in the femtosecond group and 0.26 +/- 0.17 mm in the manual CCC group. The CCC center was closer to the pupil center in the femtosecond than in the manual CCC group (p = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: Properly sized and shaped capsulotomy can be expected in femtosecond laser CCC compared with manual CCC.