The constant quest to improve cataract surgery has yielded many recent advances, including the introduction of the femtosecond laser. This technology has helped increase the precision and accuracy of a couple key surgical steps, including the capsulorhexis and arcuate incisions. Further, the femtosecond laser has helped reduce ultrasound energy through lens softening applications. With that said, the femtosecond laser is not available to all surgeons and leaves room for improvement. Below are some technologies and approaches that offer alternatives to femtosecond laser use during cataract surgery.
ZEPTO-Assisted Cataract Surgery
This video demonstrates a cataract surgery case utilizing the Zepto Precision Pulse Capsulotomy device (Mynosys). The Zepto device is a flexible nitinol ring with shape memory surrounded by a silicone shell. It is inserted through a 2.75-mm main incision and positioned over the anterior capsule. After suction is activated, a 360° capsulotomy is made instantaneously.
MiLoop Cataract Device
The MiLoop is a new technology being launched by Iantech. The device is designed to help divide a cataractous lens into smaller, more manageable pieces, with the current goal of reducing phaco energy. The video highlighted here presents a case in which I used the miLoop to help dismantle the nucleus and efficiently remove it with irrigation and aspiration, without the need for phaco ultrasound.
This video shows a presentation given by me and my partner, Shamik Bafna, MD, on laser versus blade limbal relaxing incisions (LRIs) guided by aberrometry. We demonstrate that both techniques are effective for reducing astigmatism at the time of cataract surgery and that, to achieve accurate results with LRIs, the femtosecond laser is not a requirement. Video courtesy of the Caribbean Eye Meeting; William F. Wiley, MD; and Shamik Bafna, MD.
