Selective Laser Capsulotomy Complications: Management And Prevention

To report how to manage and prevent the incomplete laser cut and following uncut tags of anterior capsular lens, performed using the selective laser capsulotomy (SLC).

Eye Clinic, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Italy

We describe three possible approaches: peeling the anterior capsulotomy disc with forceps, breaking the tags using the cystotomy needle tip, or cutting them using a 23-G vitrectomy scissors.

Using the 23-G vitrectomy scissors resulted in no complication. Peeling the anterior capsulotomy using the forceps instead caused zonular stress with subsequent risks of zonular dialysis, whereas using the cystotomy needle tip resulted in irregular capsulotomy rim and weakness all along the capsulotomy edge where micro tears caused a tear during the rest of cataract surgery.

To obtain a correct focus of the red laser spot, the surgeon needs to look at the sharpness of the red laser spots on the top of the inverted V shape and to avoid any eye tilting. An incorrect matching of laser red spots, with subsequent no evident inverted V shape at time of the capsulotomy, will lead to an incomplete laser cut with multiple and/or large tags.

Incomplete laser cut and subsequent discontinuous capsulotomy results in the presence of multiple tags which create strong adherence between the central capsulotomy disc and the peripheral capsule. Key steps of the procedure to prevent an incomplete laser cut, which are the anterior lens capsule staining and laser beam focusing, and how to correctly manage them, which may shorten the learning curve and enhance the outcomes.