Laser Cataract Surgery
Laser-assisted cataract surgery is an alternative to traditional cataract surgery in which the procedure is performed by hand. In some cases, laser-assisted cataract surgery is the best option because of the laser’s ability to rapidly create ultra-precise, tiny incisions. This procedure received FDA approval in the spring of 2011 and within days we received the very first femtosecond laser (FSL) on the East Coast. Since then, we have demonstrated that the FSL can simplify the process of cataract removal.
Should you consider laser cataract surgery?
Its greatest value is for the many patients with complex cataracts. Additionally, the FSL can simultaneously create small incisions in the cornea that reduce preexisting astigmatism, which permits patients to achieve better vision with less dependence on glasses. Amazingly enough, the FSL can do all of these things painlessly and in approximately one minute!
At Mackool Eye Surgery, patients receiving FSL treatment undergo the brief laser procedure, with completion of the cataract removal process and insertion of the intraocular lens implant shortly thereafter. Patients are then able to return home, usually without an eye patch, and resume most activities immediately.
YAG Laser Surgery
In addition to laser-assisted cataract surgery, we also perform YAG laser surgery after traditional cataract surgery. During modern cataract surgery, the lens capsule at the back of the cloudy lens is normally left in place. It functions to support the implant but eventually becomes cloudy in the vast majority of patients. This produces blurred vision similar to that caused by cataract.
The treatment for clouding of the lens capsule is quite simple. A specially equipped “YAG” laser is used to create a hole in the center of the capsule, which is painless. This procedure requires no injections or anesthesia and produces a permanent opening in the capsule. There has been some controversy concerning the risk of retinal detachment after YAG laser treatment. Although early investigations seemed to indicate that there was an increased risk of retinal detachment, additional studies by us and others have not found this to be true. Based on the latest research, it is our opinion that YAG laser treatment does not increase the risk of retinal detachment in patients who have had cataract removal by modern techniques.