LASER EYE SURGERY SPECIALISTS

Cataracts are the clouding of the natural lens of your eye. Left untreated, cataracts may result in complete blindness as the clouding progresses to the point where light is scattered so completely your eyes can no longer form images on the retina.

Cataract surgery in its conventional form is one of the most common surgeries performed today. The traditional procedure starts with the surgeon making a small incision in the cornea with a scalpel, through which instruments are inserted to access the lens capsule and then break up the clouded lens using ultrasound. The pieces of the lens are then suctioned out with another tool.

An artificial intraocular lens, or IOL, is then put in place of your natural lens. The opening in the cornea self-seals, so stitches are not usually used to close the incision.

Instead of a freehand scalpel incision, imaging equipment measures your eye and programs the laser with precise instructions for the location and depth of the cut, much more accurately than manual techniques. The laser also softens the tissue of the lens, which is then broken up with ultrasound and removed in the same manner as traditional surgery.

The precise cuts possible with laser assistance allow for astigmatism corrections and the implantation of premium IOLs, such as multifocal lenses. Typically, standard IOLs provide a general level of eyesight correction, but you’ll still require eyeglasses or contact lenses for certain situations or more refined general correction. Premium IOLs may help you achieve a level of vision where corrective lenses aren’t needed, though you should discuss your expectations with your eye care professional at Witlin Center for Advanced Eye Care.

While laser surgical techniques sometimes offer better outcomes and fewer complications, this is not yet conclusively demonstrated in studies of cataract surgery, though there is some evidence of safer procedures. The advantages of lasers stem from the precision of the incisions, particularly when considering corrections to refractive errors.

Also, the lens softening that a laser provides reduces the amount of ultrasound needed to break up the cataract, preventing possible complications with this part of the procedure, common to laser and traditional methods.