The facts on FLACS
> Take a clearer look at no-blade femtosecond laser cataract surgery, which promises faster and safer results for patients
Thought to originate in Egypt, couching was an extremely painful procedure where a curved needle was used to push the affected lens out of the patient’s field of vision, to the back of the eye.
The risk of patients remaining blind after this procedure was very high.
Today, after decades of research and studies, FLACS has come to the fore as an effective tool to bring cataract surgery even further.
In numerous cases, FLACS has demonstrated an immense potential to improve the safety and predictability of modern cataract surgery, as well as yield more consistent and stable results.
Speaking on this new technology at a media session, Low said: “Introduced in 2008, FLACS effectively replaces some of the steps that are usually performed manually by the surgeon.
“Together with a fullyautomated imaging system that is displayed on a separate screen, FLACS gives surgeons an excellent degree of accuracy and precision throughout the procedure.”
During FLACS, the femtosecond laser is used to create precise and accurate incisions on the anterior capsule and nucleus of the lens, and equally-accurate cuts on the cornea.
Among the benefits of using a femtosecond laser include a rapid healing period, as well as a wellcentred placement of the lens implant.
Furthermore, because of the laser’s ultra-fast pulses (recorded to be in the range of 10- seconds), FLACS uses less energy and minimises damage to corneal cells and tissues.
Femtosecond laser systems are also found to reduce phaco power and operative time, which in turn promotes quick actual surgery time, provide superior safety levels, as well as produces the desirable visual outcomes for patients.
However, Low advised, as with all medical procedures, patients must first consult their ophthalmologist for the most suitable procedure for their condition.
Findings from research show that FLACS may not be suitable for certain groups of patients.
Among these patients are those with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, glaucoma, optic nerve abnormalities or have damaged, scarred cornea, and poor pupil dilation.
In such cases, doctors may recommend an alternative procedure.
As seen throughout the history of cataract surgery, the search is always on for a more advanced method to continually deliver better and more effective outcomes for patients.
Certainly, each method in modern cataract surgery has its pros and cons.
Yet with FLACS, patients can benefit from hi-tech techniques that can make their cataract surgery experience a highly safe and simple one.
“As medical technology continues to advance, there may well come a time where FLACS can evolve from being an additional tool to improve results, to become the next gold standard in cataract surgery,” Low concluded. Be Light ...