Intraocular femtosecond laser use in traumatic cataracts following penetrating and blunt trauma.

PURPOSE To investigate the use of femtosecond laser cataract surgery in traumatic cataracts of different origin. METHODS The first case developed acute traumatic cataract due to penetrating injury of the cornea and the anterior lens capsule; the second developed traumatic cataract 11 years after a penetrating corneal injury; and the third developed a "white" cataract 12 months after blunt ocular trauma. In all cases, 4.5-mm capsulorrhexis and corneal incisions were performed using a femtosecond laser system (Alcon LenSx Inc), and nucleus liquefaction with the laser was performed additionally in the second case. RESULTS In all patients, a capsulorrhexis could be created with the femtosecond laser. Preexisting radial tears were present in the first case, but the remaining anterior capsule could be cut with the laser. The second and third cases showed an intact 4.5-mm capsulorrhexis. Corneal incisions were stable in all cases, and nucleus liquefaction was possible in the second case (grade 1-2 nuclear density). CONCLUSIONS Results indicate that a femtosecond laser can be used successfully in certain instances of traumatic cataract after penetrating eye injury, even if an anterior capsule laceration is present, and also after blunt trauma resulting in "white" cataracts.