Understanding Laser Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery is a common medical procedure designed to remove the cloudy lens of the eye, known as a cataract, and replace it with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). Cataracts often develop as a natural part of aging, leading to blurred vision, difficulty seeing at night, and sensitivity to light.

Traditionally, surgeons performed cataract surgery by hand, making manual incisions and breaking down the cataract in the operating room. This method is still reliable and works well with a skilled surgeon. However, even the most experienced surgeons cannot make incisions as precise as a computer-guided laser.

Laser-assisted cataract surgery, especially with the femtosecond laser, is one of the greatest advancements in eye care. Understanding this technology can help you feel more informed and confident if you or a loved one ever need cataract surgery. This article breaks down the details of laser-assisted cataract surgery to make things clearer.

What Other Lasers are Used in Eye Treatments?

Before diving into the specifics of laser-assisted cataract surgery, it is helpful to know about the variety of lasers used in eye care. All these lasers are different from the femtosecond laser used in cataract surgery. They target different parts of the eye and treat various conditions.

LASIK: Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is a common laser procedure done on the cornea, which is the clear front part of the eye. LASIK reshapes the cornea to correct vision, reducing or eliminating the need for glasses.

Laser Therapy for Glaucoma: Laser therapy is a common treatment for glaucoma. For open-angle glaucoma, Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) is used to reduce intraocular pressure by improving fluid drainage. For narrow-angle glaucoma, YAG Peripheral Iridotomy is performed to open the eye's drainage area, preventing fluid buildup.

Laser Treatment in Retina: Lasers are also crucial in treating retinal conditions. Photocoagulation laser therapy is used to manage retinal tears, detachments, and diabetic eye disease. This treatment helps seal retinal breaks and reduce the risk of further complications.

What Is Laser Cataract Surgery?

At Chester County Eye Care, we use a femtosecond laser for laser cataract surgery. This technology is computer-controlled and allows the surgeon make a detailed 3D map of your eye before the surgery. This map allows for customized treatment. The laser is also used to perform several steps of the cataract surgery that have traditionally been completed manually by the surgeon—making the corneal incisions, creating the incision into the cataract (called the capsulorhexis), and breaking up the cloudy lens for a gentler removal.

Additionally, cataract laser surgery can correct astigmatism. Astigmatism occurs when the cornea is irregularly shaped like a football instead of being round, causing blurry vision. During laser cataract surgery, the surgeon may correct astigmatism by placing a small, precise incision in the cornea to make it rounder.

It is important to note that the femtosecond laser does not perform the entire surgery. The surgeon will still need to remove the pieces of the cataract that the laser broke down. After that, they will place a new intraocular lens into the eye at the end of the surgery.

What are the Benefits of Laser Cataract Surgery?

For the right patients, cataract laser surgery offers a number of advantages over traditional treatment methods. Key benefits of this state-of-the-art procedure can include:

• Reduction of Corneal Astigmatism with incisions created by the laser
• Gentler removal of the clouded lens
• 3D mapping of each eye for enhanced predictability
• Unparalleled treatment customization
• Laser-precise accuracy for incision-making (including the incision made into the cataract)
• Precise implantation of the intraocular lens (IOL)

Laser cataract surgery is exceptionally useful for denser cataracts. These cataracts usually need more energy to break apart and using a laser can help reduce this energy use. Ultimately, using advanced laser technology helps to make cataract surgery more streamlined and exact than ever before. Greater precision surgically with the use of laser allows for more predictable visual outcomes.

Am I a Candidate for Laser Cataract Surgery?

The majority of patients are candidates for laser-assisted cataract surgery. However, it is not suitable for every patient undergoing the procedure. During a pre-operative evaluation with a cataract surgeon, they may note one of the following findings that could prevent the use of laser during surgery:

• Poor pupillary dilation (needed for the laser to effectively treat the cataract).
• Unique corneal conditions, including corneal scarring (impedes the laser from reaching the cataract within the eye).

In addition, there may be unique circumstances where a surgeon opts for another method that better suit the patient's needs. Therefore, it is important to talk about your candidacy for this treatment with your surgeon during the preoperative consultation.  

Wrap Up

With this information about laser cataract surgery, we hope you understand the procedure and its benefits better. We would love to assist you on your journey to achieve your ideal vision and make you feel comfortable with your eyesight. If you would like to learn more or schedule an appointment with us, please call us at 610-696-1230 or message us by clicking here.

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