Behavior of Generated Gas during Femtosecond Laser Lens Irradiation in Porcine Cadaver Eyes

Abstract

(1) Background: We investigated the behavior of gas inside a lens and its influence on the lens capsule, which may cause complications by lens irradiation with a femtosecond laser cataract surgery device. (2) Methods: The crystalline lenses of 6-month-old porcine cadaver eyes were observed during laser irradiation. An intraocular endoscope in the vitreous cavity was used to measure the posterior capsule position. Optical coherence tomography measurements of the anterior chamber depth before and after the laser irradiation, as well as measurements of the equatorial perimeter of the extracted lens, were compared with those of the controls. (3) Results: Femtosecond laser-generated gas in the porcine lens was dependent on laser irradiation energy. Increases in the amount of laser irradiation energy caused the generated gas to coalesce, move backwards beyond the laser irradiation site, and expand the lens capsule and posterior capsule. (4) Conclusions: The present results suggest that laser irradiation-induced gas moves in the direction of the posterior capsule beyond the lens irradiation site and expands the lens capsule, which may be involved in the development of capsular block syndrome.

Keywords

• femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery
• FLACS
• capsular block syndrome
• laser-induced gas
• posterior capsule rupture