Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery after penetrating keratoplasty: a case report

BACKGROUND: Cataract surgery after penetratingkeratoplasty (PKP) is often challenging due to changes in the integrity of the cornea caused by PKP. For example, corneal endothelial cell (CEC) loss and corneal edema commonly occur after traditional phacoemulsification cataract surgery in patients that previously had successful PKP. Recent studies have reported that femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) significantly reduces the need for ultrasound energy minimizing mechanical damage to the cornea and results in a reduction of CEC loss and corneal edema. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case in which FLACS was used in a patient with previous PKP. CONCLUSION: This case supports the suggestion that the use of the femtosecond laser improves the surgical outcome of cataract surgery after PKP. This improvement may be result of the precise incision, controlled capsulorhexis, and reduced lens fragmentation experienced with the femtosecond laser which helps to reduce potential complications of cataract surgery after PKP.