Femtosecond Laser vs. Traditional Cataract Surgery
The femtosecond laser is used to enhance traditional cataract surgery.
Cataract surgery has progressed to be one a safe, predictable and highly successful surgery thanks to advances in technology. Laser cataract surgery, or laser-assisted cataract surgery, is the latest advance in the the development of modern cataract surgery.
The femtosecond laser adds precision, accuracy and predictability to an already advanced form of surgery.
Benefits of Femtosecond Laser Cataract Surgery
Compared to traditional phacoemulsification, the gold standard, laser cataract surgery offers many advantages as we have outlined above.
Corneal Incision
The corneal incision is up to 10x more accurate when created with the laser compared to the standard manual incision. The “perfect” incision is small enough to heal quickly and without astigmatism, self-seals and just large enough to allow the insertion of a folded implant. These incisions generally heal with little pain or discomfort.
Accurate Capsulotomy
The capsulotomy is the opening that allows your surgeon to remove the inner cloudy lens material. Compared to a manually created capsulotomy, the laser assisted version creates the perfect opening.
Removing the Lens Material/Fragmentation
The procedure of removing the lens material via phacoemulsification is made easier by applying low-energy laser power to pre-treat the lens. Phacoemulsification is then much easier and requires much less ultrasonic energy to remove the lens material. This means less time is required to perform the surgery and less heat is generated during the procedure, that is, it is much more difficult to burn the cornea adjacent to the corneal incision.
Better Outcomes
Cataract surgery is perhaps the most technically successful type of surgery. Most of the time, surgery is performed and without any complications. The visual outcomes are usually outstanding.
Laser cataract surgery, because of the enhanced accuracy and precision of the laser, is simply another step in using technology to improve outcomes (vision and healing) for patients with cataracts. Because the various steps in cataract surgery can be performed accurately, the visual outcomes are enhanced.
There is no guarantee how much cataract surgery or laser cataract surgery will improve your vision without a complete examination from your doctor.
Gregory Scimeca, M.D.
Ophthalmologist and Medical Director
The Eye Professionals
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