AIM: To investigate the related factors of pupil diameter changes in femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery in patients of different ages and their effects on the operation time and surgical efficacy of patient interface.

METHODS: One hundred and one patients(101 eyes)with femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery were enrolled in this study from March 2017 to June 2018, the age group was divided into middle-aged group(46 cases)and old age group(55 cases). Routine mydriasis was carried out in every patient. The operation time of patient interface, docking time, nucleus radius and pupil diameter before, during and after interface operation, best corrected visual acuity before and after surgery were recorded. The state anxiety questionnaire was used to assess the state anxiety symptoms during interfacing operation and evaluate the clinical efficacy.

RESULTS: The age of patients with femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery was significantly negatively correlated with the diameter of the pupil before, during and after the interface operation, the radius of the nucleus, and the state anxiety score. The interface operation time and the state anxiety score were significantly negative correlation. The pupil diameters of the middle-aged patients(8.89±0.57, 7.52±0.52, 8.96±0.54mm)were significantly greater than those of the elderly group(8.43±0.73, 7.14±0.55, 8.44±0.75mm)before, during and after the interface operation,and the state anxiety score(42.19±9.27)was significantly greater than that of the elderly group(39.80±9.15 points)(P<0.01), however there was no difference in interface operation time, docking time and total effective rate of treatment between the two groups(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: The pupillary changes in middle-aged femtosecond laser-assisted cataract patients are more sensitive and these patients are prone to anxiety, which has certain influence on the progress of the surgery.