Femtosecond not always appropriate

Although femtosecond lasers offer a strong alternative to microkeratomes, they are not suitable for every situation, according to Theo Seiler, MD speaking at the German Ophthalmic Surgeons Meeting held in Nuremberg, Germany in May.

Dr Seiler offered this argument following a presentation by Thomas Neuhann, MD, who argued that femtosecond lasers are able to produce flaps of homogenous thickness and allow more precise flap placement, making them the favourable choice in his opinion.

Dr Seiler, however, discussed a number of studies that suggest that flap creation does not have a significant effect on visual outcomes. He also argued that the frequency of transient light sensitivity, although improved, is still a drawback.