Cataract surgery is one of the most common medical procedures performed in industrialized countries. While traditional cataract surgery is widely used and generally successful, laser-assisted cataract surgery offers some advantages that may make it a better choice for certain patients. The primary benefit of laser-assisted cataract surgery is that it requires less energy to break up the cataract. This can result in reduced postoperative corneal swelling and faster vision restoration.
Additionally, the laser's computer-aided precision increases accuracy beyond what is achievable with human hands. Before the procedure, the eye doctor will use a camera and sophisticated computer programs to map out the eye. Based on this information, the laser will know exactly where to cut and how deeply. Patients may also feel more relaxed knowing that a laser is performing the cut, as they rarely require general anesthesia for these procedures.However, considering that the advantages of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery may not be clear in all routine cases, it cannot be considered cost-effective.
People who have particularly hard cataracts may benefit from the laser-assisted approach, as the laser can be used to soften the cataract before using the ultrasound probe to separate it.Combining corrected astigmatism with laser-assisted cataract surgery can mean you'll be able to see better than you have in years or decades. However, because insurance doesn't cover the use of lasers or high-quality lenses, people will have to pay more out of pocket than with traditional cataract surgery.In both laser-assisted cataract surgery and traditional treatment, the goal is to remove the opaque lens from the eye and replace it with a transparent intraocular lens (IOL). The laser approach can precisely create the incisions needed for surgery and can also soften the cataract itself to make it easier to remove it. Following the steps of the laser, the fragments of the cataract are still removed with the same probe used in traditional surgery and, in both procedures, an intraocular lens is inserted.Although complications from cataract surgery can usually be successfully treated with medications or surgery, they can sometimes endanger vision if not treated right away.
Therefore, it's important to tell your eye doctor right away if you experience any side effects after either laser-assisted or traditional cataract removal.
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