Laser Cataract Surgery?

Question: Should I have laser cataract surgery and lens implant with the femtosecond laser or regular cataract surgery?


Answer: Laser Cataract Surgery using the femtosecond laser is slowly becoming available across the United States and may offer a more consistent quality of Cataract Surgery, especially with regard to the precision required for advanced technology Lens Implants. The femtosecond laser allows the Cataract Surgeon to perform a number of manually complex and skill intense steps using computer controlled laser application rather than simply relying on the skill of the surgeon alone. This has the potential to level the playing field in terms of consistency of outcome-even among those Cataract Surgeons who may not be as skilled.

The fact of the matter is that today, modern Cataract Surgery using the current technology is extremely successful with excellent outcomes and results-especially in the hands of skilled and experienced Cataract Surgeons. Also, some of the most critical steps in Cataract Surgery involve using a microscopic probe to actually remove the cloudy lens material-called phacoemulsification. This step is very technically demanding and IS NOT PERFORMED BY ANY LASER.

Thus, whether some steps in Cataract Surgery are performed by laser or not, there are still other remaining steps that require an experienced Cataract Surgeon in order to get the best results. So, over time Laser Cataract Surgery may very well provide more consistent results, BUT all Cataract Surgery depends on the best Cataract Surgeons using the tools they have available.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.