Learn about Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery
- Posted on: Aug 30 2021
According to statistics, more than half of elderly Americans are affected by cataracts. This may help explain why more than 3.5 million cataract surgeries are performed annually in our country. When a condition is as prevalent as cataracts, and surgery is so integral to positive outcomes, there are bound to be promising advances in treatment. The development of the femtosecond laser for cataract removal surgery is one that we are excited to have in our offices. We’ll discuss why here.
Traditional cataract surgery has been successfully performed for many years. The process of cataract removal using traditional technique is the same with femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery. These steps include:
- Incision. During cataract surgery, the ophthalmologist creates an incision in the cornea in order to access the clouded lens. This is traditionally done using a handheld blade. The goal is to create a precise incision in the cornea through which special surgical instruments can pass to break apart and remove the lens. Femtosecond laser-assisted surgery makes the cut using ultra-precise laser light rather than a handheld blade. Studies put the accuracy of the laser device at ten times that of the blade. Additionally, the laser also softens and dissects the cataract into small pieces before instruments are inserted to remove the debris.
- Cataract removal. The next step in surgery is to remove the cataract. Traditionally, this is done using a mechanical instrument that is placed through the corneal incision. This instrument uses ultrasound energy to break up the hard cataract into small pieces. Remember, when we use the femtosecond laser, the cataract is soft and primed for removal.
- Lens replacement. The precision of the first two steps is integral to the accurate placement and positioning of the new intraocular lens.
Laser-assisted surgeries come with specific benefits. These benefits are of particular importance when we are dealing with eyesight. The femtosecond laser-assisted cataract procedure is done in 15 to 20 minutes. Patients’ recovery time is usually just a few days. Sometimes, patients are back to their normal activities the day after their procedure.
Roholt Vision Institute proudly serves the areas of Alliance, Canfield, and North Canton. Contact us today to learn more about our cataract surgery options.
Posted in: Cataract, Laser Eye Surgery