Laser phacoemulsification of cataracts makes use of a {custom} diode laser system to ship the laser gentle on to the goal. Credit score: Mitchell Harrah.
Cataracts stay one of many main causes of blindness around the globe, particularly in nations the place entry to superior medical tools is proscribed. Commonplace therapy includes a method referred to as phacoemulsification, which makes use of ultrasound or laser power to interrupt up and take away the cloudy lens within the eye.
Whereas trendy laser-based variations of this surgical procedure can enhance therapeutic and accuracy, they depend on costly tools that’s out of attain for a lot of low- and middle-income nations. This leaves sufferers in these areas with few choices, typically leading to longer restoration occasions and poorer outcomes.
As reported in Biophotonics Discovery, a analysis crew from the College of South Florida has launched a brand new strategy that might assist tackle this hole in world eyecare
In a current research, the crew demonstrated a technique for eradicating cataracts utilizing a low-cost, millisecond-pulsed laser system constructed from commercially out there diode lasers. In contrast to the high-powered femtosecond lasers usually utilized in wealthier well being care programs, this method is much extra inexpensive and compact.
Utilizing each pc fashions and bodily assessments on tissue-mimicking supplies, the researchers confirmed that their laser method can successfully liquefy cataract-like materials with out damaging surrounding tissue. The heating impact of the laser is tightly managed and restricted to the purpose of contact, lowering the chance of unintended hurt.
Mitchell Harrah, a Ph.D. candidate and lead writer on the research, explains that the system makes use of pulses of near-infrared gentle delivered by way of a custom-built surgical probe. Their experiments counsel that this design may very well be a sensible various to conventional laser phacoemulsification in settings the place high-tech tools is just not out there.
If additional validated in scientific settings, this expertise might considerably cut back the associated fee and complexity of cataract surgical procedure. That will assist deliver sight-saving therapy to thousands and thousands of people that at the moment lack entry—particularly in rural areas or low-income nations the place the burden of cataracts is rising quickly with ageing populations.
The crew hopes this proof-of-concept research will pave the way in which for scientific testing and broader adoption of the method within the coming years.
Extra info:
Mitchell Harrah et al, Low-cost optical system for laser phacoemulsification of cataracts, Biophotonics Discovery (2025). DOI: 10.1117/1.BIOS.2.2.022304
Quotation:
New low-cost laser method might make cataract surgical procedure extra accessible worldwide (2025, Might 22)
retrieved 22 Might 2025
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