- Lens Surgery
Femtosecond Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS)
- Treatment
- Lens Surgery
Femtosecond Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS)
Initially used in LASIK eye surgery, Femtosecond laser technology has evolved to offer the latest technique in performing cataract and lens replacement procedures, providing unprecedented accuracy and precision.
What is Femtosecond Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS)?
The Ziemer Z8 laser can now be used to complete some of the critical steps of cataract surgery and lens replacement surgery with repeatable accuracy down to 1/1000th mm.
This includes the entry incisions, capsulorhexis and softening or fragmenting of the nucleus. These lasers use very short pulses (femtosecond) of energy, which create tiny gas bubbles and employ the same principles that we have been using in LASIK for some years
For patients seeking the most advanced and accurate surgical procedure, cataract laser eye surgery is at the forefront and remains unsurpassed. This technology offers a reproducible technique to replace the less predictable and most technically demanding steps of conventional cataract surgery.
The femtosecond laser not only creates precise access to the interior of the eye, it also fragments the clouded lens in such a way that it can be ultimately removed with very little or even no ultrasonic power.
This means less strain on the sensitive tissues and structures of the eye thereby helping to prevent an inflammatory response.
The eye is carefully measured and the measurement data is programmed into the laser. By doing this in advance, the cataract surgeon can plan, supervise and guide your unique and individual laser eye treatment from start to finish.
The femtosecond laser not only creates precise access to the interior of the eye, it also fragments the clouded lens in such a way that it can be ultimately removed with very little or even no ultrasonic power.
This means less strain on the sensitive tissues and structures of the eye thereby helping to prevent an inflammatory response.
The eye is carefully measured and the measurement data is programmed into the laser. By doing this in advance, the cataract surgeon can plan, supervise and guide your unique and individual laser eye treatment from start to finish.
How is it performed?
- 1.Local anaesthetic eye drops are applied to both eyes
- 2.The area around your eyes will be washed and cleansed, and a sterile drape will be applied
- 3.An instrument is gently positioned to hold your eyelids open
- 4.Femtosecond Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery removes the need for a surgical knife by using low energy pulses to form the small 2.2mm incisions required to perform the surgery
- 5.A laser produces a small opening in the capsule bag which envelopes the natural lens allowing the surgeon access to the cloudy lens.
- 6.The cataract is fragmented and removed using ultrasound and / or low energy pulses
- 7.Aspiration and irrigation are used to remove the lens and a permanent, artificial lens is inserted with an injector
