OPHTHALMOLOGIC LASER DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PREVENTING AND TREATING AFTERCATARACT

摘要

In order to treat aftercataract after a cataract operation, a posterior capsulotomy using a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser has heretofore been performed. This destruction of the posterior capsular bag membrane is disadvantageous in several regards. A known method for avoiding aftercataract, in addition to a medicinal treatment of lens epithelial cells, is to produce shockwaves intraoperatively by means of a metal body to be inserted into the capsular bag, by irradiating the metal body by means of an Nd:YAG laser. However, said method disadvantageously requires a separate work step, which must be performed manually with great care and skill, and additional equipment. The invention should enable the prophylaxis and/or treatment of PCO in a less complex manner. For this purpose, a target volume (V) is irradiated by at least one laser pulse in such a way that at least one pressure wave emanates from the target volume (V) and hits at least one membrane (3.6A/B) of the capsular bag (3.6) of an eye without tearing said membrane. Alternatively, a plurality of target volumes (V), each lying at least partially in the posterior/anterior membrane (3.6B/A), can be irradiated by at least one laser pulse each by means of an ultrashort pulse laser in such a way that a region (K) of said membrane (3.6B/A) is partially or completely perforated. Phacoemulsification.