Capsular block syndrome associated with femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery

We report intraoperative capsular block syndrome occuring during the first 50 femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgeries performed in our facility. Two patients had uneventful combined laser fragmentation, capsulotomy, and corneal incision procedures. In both cases, following transfer to the operating room and manual removal of the laser-cut capsulotomy, posterior capsule rupture was noted during hydrodissection, resulting in posterior dislocation of the lens. Pars plana vitrectomy, removal of the crystalline lens, and sulcus implantation of an intraocular lens were performed in both patients with good visual outcomes. Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery changes the intraoperative environment with the generation of intracapsular gas and laser-induced changes in the cortex. With awareness of the changed intraocular environment following laser lens fragmentation and capsulotomy and a modification of the surgical technique, no additional cases of intraoperative CBS have been seen in more than 600 laser-assisted cataract surgery procedures performed to date at our facility.

No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned. Additional disclosure is found in the footnotes.