In order to understand what Femtosecond Laser-assisted cataract surgery is, it’s important to first understand what cataract surgery typically looks like. In traditional cataract surgery, an ophthalmologist will use a scalpel to cut a small incision in your cornea. This small incision allows the ophthalmologist to insert a probe that sends ultrasounds (or waves) to break up the cloudy lens. From there, they can suction out the broken pieces and insert an artificial intraocular lens, or IOL. Lens options range from mono-focal lenses for vision at one distance to toric lenses for correcting astigmatism.
The Femto Laser-assisted cataract surgery allows for the same process as traditional cataract surgery – removal of the cataract and the placement of the IOL – without the increased risks. The scalpel used in traditional surgery can create jagged, rigid lines that pose a risk for infection. Instead, a computer-controlled device will be placed over your eye to gather information about your lens; it will send that information to the Femto laser to program the exact size, location, and depth of the incisions through the cornea. The ophthalmology surgeon may use the energy from the laser to soften the cataract for removal, which allows for the ultrasound probe to break the lens into pieces to suction out. Finally, a surgeon will place the IOL in your eye. Overall, this bladeless precision creates enhanced results and a gentler, safer experience, leading to a lower likelihood of infection and faster healing. In our experience, the procedure offers fewer complications and better outcomes than traditional manual cataract surgery.
Dr. Keith Skolnick, Dr. Fernandez de Castro, and Dr. Ilan Epstein are highly skilled cataract surgeons who are experienced in performing laser-assisted cataract surgery using the Abbott CATALYS® Precision Laser System and Alcon® Lensx system. Contact our team today at 954-741-5555 to schedule a consultation.
