Suction loss during femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery

A 70-year-old woman with senile cataract had femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery under local anesthesia in her left eye. Anterior capsulotomy and lens fragmentation were planned with the laser. After the laser was successfully docked, the anterior capsulotomy was performed without complications. During lens fragmentation, the patient moved abruptly. The suction ring lost adhesion, but the laser continued firing for a fraction of a second. Under the operating microscope, a grid pattern was visible in the peripheral cornea. An intraocular lens was implanted without complications. Six weeks after surgery, the achieved visual acuity was 20/20. The misaligned cuts in the cornea were still visible. This case report demonstrates that under certain circumstances, the harmless complication of suction loss can be serious.