AIM: To analyze the application effects of femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery(FLACS)in patients with hard nuclear cataract.

METHODS: The clinical data of each 42 cases(eyes)in patients with hard nuclear cataract who underwent FLACS(observation group)and traditional phacoemulsification(control group)were retrospectively analyzed. The operation conditions and postoperative recovery were recorded in the two groups.

RESULTS: The mean ultrasound power, actual phacoemulsification time and effective phacoemulsification time and corneal edema degree at 3d after operation in observation group were lower than those in control group(P<0.05). The changes of postoperative corrected distance visual acuity(CDVA), uncorrected distance visual acuity(UCDVA)and corneal endothelial cell loss rate showed 3d after operation>1wk after operation>1mo after operation, and the changes in observation group were greater than those in control group(P<0.05). The corneal endothelial cell density in observation group at each time point after operation was higher than that in control group(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: FLACS has significant effects on hard nuclear cataract.