Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery: Soft Lens Assisted Interface (SoftFit) versus Direct Contact Interface

Abstract

PURPOSE: To determine the safety of the Laser SoftFit™ patient interface by comparing intraoperative results with the contact interface of the LenSx® femtosecond laser platform (FSL). METHODS: In this nonrandomized, consecutive case series, 50 eyes underwent femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) using the LenSx® laser platform (group 1); FLACS was performed in another 50 eyes, using the Laser SoftFit™ patient interface (group 2). Intraoperative complications (corneal folds) and surgical results (incomplete and free capsulotomies, incomplete phacofragmentation, and unopened incisions) were compared. RESULTS: Corneal folds and incomplete capsulotomies were less common (p = 0.0001 for both) and free-floating capsulotomies were more frequent (p = 0.0001) with the Laser SoftFit™ patient interface. Incomplete phacofragmentation and unopened incision exhibited similar rates in both groups (p = 0.436 and 0.204, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Using the Laser SoftFit™ patient interface decreased the incidence of corneal folds, resulting in better capsulotomy outcomes during FLACS.