Evaluation of a Protocol of Pupil Dilation Before Laser-assisted Cataract Surgery

Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) is a major surgical development that would allow systematization of surgery and even improved safety of the procedure. The development of this new surgical technique must now face certain obstacles, in particular (i) financial considering the extra cost generated by the use of the laser and (ii) technique due to the need to re-learn certain gestures and certain variations related to the laser procedure and more specifically the instability of the pupillary mydriasis (dilatation) during the actual surgery. The use of a systematic preoperative pharmacological mydriasis protocol should allow maximum intraoperative mydriasis to be maintained, allowing satisfactory surgery throughout the procedure. Several drugs or medical devices are now indicated in cataract surgery, but their effectiveness has not been specifically evaluated for the laser technique. This study could thus make it possible to validate or not a protocol of mydriasis that could make consensus in the future for the practice of FLACS.

Inclusion criteria

• Patient with unilateral or bilateral cataract requiring a cataract surgery
• Patient scheduled for laser-assisted cataract surgery

Exclusion criteria

• Limitation due to laser procedure (little orbits, corneal scares, lack of pharmacological mydriasis at the inclusion visit)
• Subject with general medication influencing iris state and/or pupil dilation (alpha-agonist, psychotropic drugs)
• Subject unable to give informed consent
• minors