Femtosecond laser
Pronunciation: FEM-toh-sek-ond
Ultra-short pulse laser technology used in ocular surgery for precise tissue cutting and corneal flap creation.
Full Definition
A femtosecond laser is an infrared laser that delivers extremely short pulses (10⁻¹⁵ seconds) to create precise cuts in ocular tissues through photodisruption rather than thermal damage. In ophthalmic surgery, femtosecond lasers are used for creating corneal flaps in LASIK surgery, performing keratoplasty cuts, creating corneal incisions for astigmatism correction, and in cataract surgery for capsulotomies and lens fragmentation. The technology offers superior precision compared to mechanical instruments and reduces complications associated with manual techniques.
Usage
Usage note: Often abbreviated as 'femto' in clinical notes. Hyphenate when used as a compound modifier.
In Context
- "The femtosecond laser created a perfectly centered capsulotomy with minimal energy." — Surgical report
- "Femtosecond laser-assisted LASIK showed improved flap architecture compared to microkeratome." — Comparative study