Laser Cataract Surgery Specialist

What is laser cataract surgery?

Cataract surgery is used to remove cataracts, the natural lens of your eye that becomes cloudy and opaque over time, preventing light from reaching the light-sensitive portion of your eye called the retina. As a result, cataracts can cause significant loss of vision over time, and surgery is required to remove them and restore vision. Laser cataract surgery is a cataract removal technique that uses the highly-focused energy of special computer-controlled lasers to perform some portions of the surgery that are normally performed with a special cutting blade called a keratome, or microkeratome.

What are the benefits of laser cataract surgery compared to traditional cataract surgery?

Studies have shown that in some patients, lasers can provide several benefits related to the incision made during surgery, including:

• more precise incisions around the cataract

• improved accuracy when the intraocular lens (IOL) is placed

• improved visual outcomes

In addition, the laser can help soften the cataract, which means less ultrasound energy is needed to break apart the cataract prior to removal. By using less ultrasound energy, damage to surrounding tissues is decreased, resulting in faster recovery. Finally, the laser technique may also allow correction of astigmatism in some patients at the same time cataract surgery is performed, significantly reducing the need for glasses following cataract surgery.

Will laser cataract surgery be used to remove my cataracts?

The type of surgical approach used in your surgery will be determined during your exam and evaluation. While laser cataract surgery may offer some benefits compared to the traditional approach, both techniques are safe and highly effective, and you should feel confident in your results no matter which approach is determined to be the best choice for you.