News & Events

HEPL / KIPAC Seminar

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Daniel Palanker

Associate Professor Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, and HEPL Stanford University 

Cataract Surgery with 3-D Image-Guided Femtosecond Laser

Abstract: About a third of the population in developed countries undergoes cataract surgery. Until now it was a manual procedure with limited precision, especially with respect to the size, shape and position of the anterior capsular opening - the first and most critical step in the procedure. Clinical outcomes are highly dependent on the surgical skills and potential complicating factors. Novel intraocular lenses, including multifocal, aspheric and accommodating designs require especially precise positioning and centration.

We developed a new technique that greatly improves the precision of cataract surgery, by performing anterior capsulotomy, lens segmentation and corneal incisions with a femtosecond laser. Exact placement of the 3-dimensional cutting patterns in tissue is determined by precise mapping of the ocular tissues using integrated Optical Coherence Tomography. Femtosecond laser produces continuous sharp-edged capsular cuts without radial nicks. Lens segmentation simplifies phacoemulsification, especially with dense cataracts. Three-dimensional cutting of the cornea based on diagnostic imaging can improve safety by creating multi-planar self-sealing cataract incisions, and help reducing residual corneal astigmatism by exact placement of the limbal relaxing incisions. Dynamics of the fs laser-tissue interactions and optimization of the laser beam shape for planar cutting in transparent material will also be discussed.

Time: 4:15 – 5:15pm

Location: Physics/Astrophysics Bldg., Kistler Conference Rms. 102/103 (Map)

(Light refreshments available 4:00pm; Presentation begins 4:15pm

Open to All