Superior Visual Acuity After Nanolaser Cataract Surgery - Which Facts ?

Preserving endothelial condition in cataract surgery through adequate surgical technology results in better visual acuity compared to standard surgery. Patients undergoing low energy and ultrasound free cataract surgery profit from high visual acuity after cataract surgery. 

We performed elective Nano Laser Cataract surgery and Phacoemulsifaction in an outpatient clinic.

All surgeries were performed by one surgeon (LB) at the Eye Center. 

This is retrospective study with comparable aged patients and similar cataract conditions (LOCS Scheme)

We use the Nano Laser system (CETUS, A.R.C. Laser) to operate patients with a demand for non-traumatic cataract surgery and best visual results. We compared our patient data from standard ultrasound operated patients with the Nano Laser operated patients on post op visual acuity and endothelial cell loss. In the Nano Laser patients we also used a pre chop device (Akahoshi  Combo 2 Chopper) and a  Soft Shell technique (Arshinoff) where we use additional Viscoelastic in the AC. We also measured the central corneal thickness pre and post surgery.

We only picked comparable aged patients and similar cataract conditions (LOCS scheme).

The mean visual acuity from 20 age matched eyes from 15  patients operated with the Nano laser was 20/20. The mean visual acuity of other 20 age matched eyes from 16 patients operated by ultrasound was 20/25 .

The central corneal thickness pre operative was comparable, post surgery the corneas of the nano Laser group were less thickened.

The number of endothelial cells lost due to surgery was significantly lower in the Nano Laser Group ( NLG 99 cells/mm2 lost / PhacoG 155 cells/mm2 lost)

Two of our Nano Laser operated patients reached a corrected visual acuity of 20 / 12.5 whereas none of the ultrasound operated patients did. All Patients received standard monofocal aspheric hydrophylic IOL from one manufacturer (Rayner, RayOne IOL)

With the adequate combination of endothelial sparing techniques (NanoLaser), a pre chop technique and a Soft-Shell technique the visual acuity of the patients after cataract surgery was better compared to the control group receiving standard Ultrasound surgery.