Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS): Facts and Questions

Ophthalmology is always at the forefront of LASER (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) use first place. Meyer-Schwickerath reported first in 1949 to coagulate the retina in diabetes mellitus with specially focused sunshine [1]. Not much later appeared the first laser kind machine with a huge size to photocoagulate the retina indoors under planned circumstances, not depending on sunshine. The most important feature of ophthalmic (medical) lasers is that they emit specific wavelengths of electromagnetic light via stimulated emission. In ophthalmology, the wavelength, energy, pulse pattern, spot size, and repetition rate are the most crucial factors of a successful treatment due to the delicate anatomical structures of the eye. Usually, thermal effects cause changes in pigmented tissues; on the contrary, there are lasers that do not operate with heat effects. Tissue evaporation and non-thermal effects are also important in laser–tissue interaction.