Femtosecond Lasers in Cornea & Refractive Surgery

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Laser Surgery

Background:

• Femtosecond laser (FS) systems have revolutionized corneal flap creation in laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis.
• The versatility of FS laser technology has led to its adoption in a wide range of ophthalmic procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detail the extensive utility of femtosecond lasers in various corneal surgical procedures.
• To review the application of FS lasers in both therapeutic and diagnostic ophthalmic interventions.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature and clinical applications of femtosecond lasers in corneal surgery.
• Analysis of FS laser use in refractive surgeries, intracorneal ring segment tunnels, presbyopic treatments, and keratoplasty.
• Examination of FS laser roles in diagnostic techniques like two-photon excitation fluorescence and second harmonic generation.

Main Results:

• Femtosecond lasers are integral to modern refractive laser surgeries, offering precise flap creation and stromal ablation.
• Applications extend to creating intracorneal ring segment tunnels for keratoconus and precise incisions for FS-assisted keratoplasty.
• FS lasers are employed in advanced diagnostic imaging, providing detailed visualization of corneal structures.

Conclusions:

• Femtosecond laser technology has significantly expanded the scope and precision of corneal surgical procedures.
• The utility of FS lasers spans refractive correction, therapeutic interventions, and sophisticated diagnostic capabilities in ophthalmology.
• Continued innovation in FS laser applications promises further advancements in corneal surgery and diagnostics.