[First Experience with Femtosecond Laser Presbyopia Correction Method INTRACOR]

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Laser Surgery
• Corneal Refractive Surgery

Background:

• Presbyopia, an age-related condition, reduces lens elasticity and accommodative ability.
• The INTRACOR procedure is a unique intrastromal femtosecond laser treatment for presbyopia.
• It corrects presbyopia by altering central corneal curvature without surface or anterior chamber incisions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the initial clinical experience with the INTRACOR femtosecond laser procedure for presbyopia correction.
• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of this novel intrastromal surgical technique.

Main Methods:

• The INTRACOR procedure was performed using the VICTUS femtosecond laser on 10 eyes of 10 patients (aged 47-58).
• Procedures were conducted solely on the non-dominant eye.
• A one-year follow-up was conducted to assess visual acuity and patient satisfaction.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements in uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA) were observed (monocular: 0.2 to 0.7; binocular: 0.23 to 0.8).
• Binocular uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) improved post-surgery (1.0 to 1.3).
• Patients reported high satisfaction and spectacle independence, particularly low hyperopic individuals unsuitable for other refractive procedures.

Conclusions:

• The INTRACOR femtosecond laser procedure demonstrates effectiveness in improving near vision for presbyopia correction.
• The technique is well-suited for low hyperopic patients seeking spectacle independence.
• Further research may explore long-term outcomes and broader patient applicability.