Laser phacoemulsification: Considerations of safety and effectiveness

The potential for maintaining the lenticular capsule largely intact while surgically removing the lenticular nucleus and cortex has long been an enticing research goal. Recently, the xenon-chloride 308-nm excimer laser has been shown to be effective for endocapsular ablation with laser energy delivered through an optical fiber. Concern for safety has centered on the potential for UV-B damage to other ocular structures during irradiation of the lens. By contrast, the use of an infrared IR-B laser wavelength for this application would not pose the same photobiological hazard. Comparative hazard estimates are provided for these techniques.