Industry

Robotic laser system accurately creates LASIK flaps

Healio Optometry6d ago1 min read

WASHINGTON — A robotic laser system was able to accurately create LASIK flaps during a prospective study, according to a researcher at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting.Gabriel Quesada, MD, and colleagues conducted a single-site study to evaluate the Ally system (Lensar), a dual-pulsed femtosecond laser system. Quesada presented data from an interim analysis comprising 37 eyes with completed flaps.{{VIDEO}}“To have a system guided by OCT and a robotic system to create flaps is something that is going to change results in refractive surgery,” Quesada told Healio.

Read full article on Healio Optometry

AI Summary

Quick Take

Interim data from a prospective study presented at ASCRS shows that Lensar’s Ally dual-pulsed femtosecond laser system can accurately create LASIK flaps using robotic, OCT-guided technology. The analysis of 37 eyes suggests that integrating advanced imaging with robotic precision could significantly refine the flap creation process and improve predictability in refractive surgery.

Why It Matters

While femtosecond lasers are already the standard for LASIK flap creation, the integration of real-time OCT guidance and robotic automation represents a shift toward higher precision and reduced human variability. This technology aims to improve the predictability of flap architecture, a critical factor in surgical safety and visual outcomes. For refractive surgeons, this move toward robotic platforms signals a broader industry trend of leveraging advanced imaging to automate the most delicate steps of corneal procedures, potentially setting a new benchmark for surgical consistency.

Key Findings

The Ally system (Lensar) successfully utilized a dual-pulsed femtosecond laser to create LASIK flaps in all 37 eyes included in the interim analysis.
The system incorporates integrated OCT guidance to assist in the robotic creation of the flap, aiming for high accuracy and standardized results.
Lead researcher Gabriel Quesada, MD, reported that the combination of OCT and robotics is expected to fundamentally change refractive surgery outcomes by increasing precision.

Study Snapshot

Design

Single-site prospective study (interim analysis)

Population

LASIK candidates

Sample Size

37 eyes

Practice Implications

Clinicians should monitor the development of the Ally system as it moves toward full study completion, as it may offer a more standardized approach to flap creation compared to traditional femtosecond platforms. The use of OCT-guided robotics could potentially increase safety margins for various corneal profiles and reduce the impact of surgeon-dependent variables during the initial stages of LASIK.

Who's Affected

Refractive SurgeonsCorneal SpecialistsOphthalmologistsSurgical Center Owners

What's Next

Further data from the full study cohort will be needed to confirm long-term stability and flap morphology consistency. As the Ally system is a dual-pulsed platform, its successful application in flap creation would expand its clinical utility beyond its current role in cataract surgery.

Evidence StrengthPreliminary

AI-generated summary — always read the original source for full context

Discussion

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.