Mobile femtosecond laser platform for pediatric cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To describe the use of a mobile femtosecond laser platform in assisting paediatric cataract surgery.

METHODS: A mobile femtosecond laser was brought into the operating room and calibrated on the day of the surgery. After general anesthesia is induced, the femtosecond laser was docked onto the eyes with a liquid-filled interface, without any perioperative adaptations or additional surgical procedures. An anterior capsulotomy was created with the femtosecond laser, followed by conventional cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation.

RESULTS: Five eyes of 3 children with congenital cataracts were treated with this technique. Docking and capsulorhexis were successful in all cases. No perioperative or intraoperative complications were noted in any of the cases. At median follow-up of 15 months (range 6-18 months), all patients had improved best-corrected visual acuity.

CONCLUSIONS: Using the mobile femtosecond laser platform, a perfectly sized anterior capsulotomy could be created with high precision and accuracy in paediatric cataract cases, while ensuring that perioperative care for the children undergoing the procedure was not compromised.