FAQs

• A selective target for CAPSULaser is created when the capsule is stained with CAPSULBlue, a specific formulation of trypan blue.
• A fixation laser, coaxial with the view of the surgeon, allows identification of the visual axis location in patients with translucent cataracts in a manner similar to LASIK. In addition, the capsulotomy position is visualized by a scanned aiming laser.
• The surgeon is in control at all times and the capsulotomy is placed at the determined location.
• Once the surgeon has determined the location for treatment, the focused laser is activated and it describes a circle in about one third of a second to create the capsulotomy.

• Our surgeon advisors recommend that the pupil be at least 1mm greater than the selected capsulotomy diameter.
• A smaller capsulotomy may be utilized if appropriate but try pharmacological dilation first.
• If a small degree of dilation is required, CAPSULVisc 2% can be used to expand the pupil diameter mechanically.
• If the pupil is constricted the use of an expander is recommended.

In preclinical studies, where the iris was intentionally targeted to determine the consequences of an inadvertent laser interaction, the following reaction was documented:

• Only superficial discoloration of the iris
• No bleeding
• No cutting or tearing
• No distortion
• No miosis

No, it is a continuous-wave laser that is always on during the selective laser capsulotomy treatment. It is not a pulsed laser like the femtosecond laser.

The laser wavelength is at the peak spectral absorption for CAPSULBlue. The wavelength is in the orange-red range of the spectrum.

For cataract surgery trypan blue selectively stains the lens capsule and non-living cells. Healthy corneal endothelial cells are not stained in vivo, as the cellular membrane naturally prevents dye absorption from the posterior surface.

Corneal surgical techniques, such as DSEK, are different and the donor tissue can be stained with dye through in vitro application via the anterior surface of the membrane. CAPSULBlue is not currently indicated for use in DSEK surgery.

The “rolled-over” characteristic of the edge created by CAPSULaser generates a strong capsulotomy that is resistant to tearing.

• Preclinical studies on human cadaver eyes at SERI (Singapore Eye Research Institute) have demonstrated that the capsulotomy rim strength is at least equivalent to manual and FLACS.
• The mechanism of action of the laser on the capsule enhances its elasticity and preclinical studies have shown that the capsulotomy can be extended from 5 to 12 mm without tearing.

At 12 months and longer-term follow-up, fibrosis has not been observed.

Yes, during clinical evaluation hyper-mature cataracts were treated whilst avoiding anterior tears. The use of CAPSULVisc balances the pressure in the intumescent capsule and provides a stable anterior chamber for the laser to act.

The CAPSULaser technique is a Selective Laser Capsulotomy approach that only causes a local thermal effect in the lens capsule.

• First and foremost, the laser energy is only absorbed by the CAPSULBlue.
• Second, the total energy entering the eye is substantially less than a femtosecond-laser procedure and there are no bubbles produced during the CAPSULaser procedure.
• Finally, pre-clinical studies have directly measured peak temperature at the endothelium, iris, and retina. In all cases, the temperature rise was less than 0.2 °C for less than 0.1 s.
• For a comparison to other technologies utilized in cataract surgery, the temperature increase for phacoemulsification is substantially higher for a much longer period of time.