Pune: A multicentre study involving the city-based National Institute of Ophthalmology (NIO) and eye specialists from the United Kingdom, Bulgaria and Saudi Arabia has been published in the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, highlighting the potential of laser-assisted surgery in managing complex cataract cases.The study, titled “Selective laser capsulotomy for intumescent cataracts”, evaluated the safety and efficacy of laser-assisted cataract surgery in patients with white intumescent cataracts, a mature form of cataract that can be challenging to treat using conventional surgical techniques.Dr Jai Kelkar, director of NIO Super Speciality Hospital, said one of the most critical steps in cataract surgery is creating a circular opening in the lens capsule, a process typically performed manually by surgeons.“However, when the cataract is complicated, like an over-mature white cataract or an intumescent cataract, it can pop like a bubble if touched by a needle due to high intra-lenticular pressure. This can lead to suboptimal outcomes even in the hands of an experienced surgeon,” she said.According to Kelkar, laser-assisted procedures offer an added layer of safety by performing the step within fractions of a second, reducing the risk of complications in difficult cases.The study found that laser-created capsulotomies were precise, predictable and resistant to tearing, making them particularly useful in managing advanced cataracts.Dr Aditya Kelkar, director of NIO Super Speciality Hospital, said the publication was a significant milestone for the institution and its collaborators.“We are proud that our work has received recognition in one of the most sought-after international publications. We hope the findings encourage further innovation and adoption of advanced technologies for complex cataract surgeries,” he said.
