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As the most common cause of vision loss and the leading cause of blindness around the world, chances are you have heard of cataracts. You may even be familiar with cataract surgery, with more than three million procedures performed in the U.S. and 20 million surgeries performed worldwide each year. Cataract surgery is one of the safest surgical procedures performed, and recent advances have improved outcomes for patients after cataract surgery.
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The latest advancement in cataract surgery, however, may be a game changer for people with cataracts. All-laser cataract surgery, also called custom cataract surgery, is giving cataract patients the opportunity to have a truly customized surgical procedure.
All-Laser Cataract Surgery
All-laser technology allows a cataract surgeon to capture precise, high-resolution images of the eye, as well as highly accurate measurements and data about the eye. This information is then used to plan a completely customized surgery, designed specifically for the individual eye.
Why is this important?
All of our eyes are different. The size, depth, and curvature of our corneas, the transparent layer forming the front of our eyes, vary significantly from person-to-person and can even vary from eye-to-eye in the same person.
The LenSx® laser used in all-laser cataract surgery, is used for three or four (depending upon the eye), critical steps in the surgical procedure.
Why is this important?
All of our eyes are different. The size, depth, and curvature of our corneas, the transparent layer forming the front of our eyes, vary significantly from person-to-person and can even vary from eye-to-eye in the same person.
The LenSx® laser used in all-laser cataract surgery, is used for three or four (depending upon the eye), critical steps in the surgical procedure.
- The laser is used to provide three-dimensional (3D) visualization of the eye. These 3D images optimize surgical incisions, which are made with lasers in custom cataract surgery. In fact, blades are not used at all in all-laser cataract surgery. This allows for more accuracy and precision, which can lead to more effective surgical outcomes.
- The laser is used to make a precise incision in the capsule of the crystalline lens of the eye, known as a capsulotomy. This is a crucial step in replacing the clouded lens (cataract) with an intraocular lens (IOL) implant, or artificial replacement lens, during the procedure. The capsule, which holds the IOL after it is placed, must not be damaged during this step. The laser helps to ensure that the capsule is not compromised.
- The laser is used to soften the cataract and to break the cataract into smaller pieces, enabling removal of the cataract. The laser uses less energy to perform this step of the procedure, which means a lowered chance of burning and distorting the surgical incision.
- Finally, the laser can be used to correct astigmatism, an uneven curvature of the cornea that causes blurry vision at distances, as needed at the time of surgery.
Is All-Laser Cataract Surgery Right for You?
Only a cataract surgeon can help you determine if all-laser cataract surgery or custom cataract surgery is right for you. Traditional cataract surgery is still safe, effective and performed around the world with great results tens of thousands of times every day. Your experience on the day of surgery and your recovery after surgery will be largely the same with either surgical approach.
So what are the reasons you may consider and choose all-laser cataract surgery? Here are three:
So what are the reasons you may consider and choose all-laser cataract surgery? Here are three:
- Computer-controlled precision
- Automated steps of the surgical procedure and optimized incisions for enhanced outcomes and reproducible results
- Additional IOL implant options for vision correction
Cataract Surgery Consultation
Kadrmas Eye Care New England is the first ophthalmology practice on the South Shore, South Coast, and Cape Cod to offer all-laser cataract surgery. We have two highly skilled and experienced cataract surgeons who would be happy to speak with you about your eyes and condition, your need for treatment, and your surgical and lens implant options:
In our following posts in this series, we will be comparing traditional cataract surgery and all-laser cataract surgery further, exploring vision after cataract surgery, and IOL options. To learn more about cataracts and cataract surgery, please visit our Cataract webpage, as well as our Cataract blog posts.
- Richard W. Strecker, MD, Traditional Cataract Surgery
- Steven A. Nielsen, MD, All-Laser and Traditional Cataract Surgery
In our following posts in this series, we will be comparing traditional cataract surgery and all-laser cataract surgery further, exploring vision after cataract surgery, and IOL options. To learn more about cataracts and cataract surgery, please visit our Cataract webpage, as well as our Cataract blog posts.
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