Do you or someone you love suffer from cataracts? Cataracts are an extremely common vision problem among adults, but almost 2 million people each year restore their vision with successful cataract surgery. With improvements in technology, it is easier than ever to remove cataracts and quickly recover from cataract surgery.
At Eyesight Associates, we offer state-of-the-art Catalys Laser technology to make your experience as positive as possible. Read about the differences between traditional cataract surgery and laser surgery to decide which method is right for you.
Traditional Cataract Surgery
A cataract is the clouding of the eye’s lens. This cloudiness blocks the passage of light into the eye, which results in blurred vision. Cataracts can only be corrected by surgically replacing the clouded lens.
Traditionally, to remove the cataract, a doctor uses forceps to manually open the lens and extract the cataract. The opening should be:
1. Precise
2. As circular as possible
3. In the correct location
4. The correct size in order for the new lens to fit properly
Once the doctor makes this opening, ultrasonic energy breaks the cataract into small pieces so it can be easily removed. Ultrasonic energy does not usually damage the eye, however the ultrasonic energy is dispersed throughout the eye. This can make your recovery time longer.
If the patient has astigmatism, a slight distortion of the curvature of the eye, the doctor can manually create incisions with a blade in order to reshape the cornea.
Catalys Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery
At Eyesight Associates, we can use the Abbott Catalys Precision Laser System to perform very accurate cataract surgery with a shorter recovery time. The femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery is much more precise than traditional cataract surgery. It uses a computer-guided system to ensure this precision, and the imaging software on the machine has a higher resolution than MRI scans.
In addition, the laser breaks the cataract into very small pieces using much less energy than in the traditional method. This results in a quicker recovery with less trauma to the cornea. To correct astigmatism, no blade is needed, as the laser can make the appropriate incisions.
Schedule a Consultation Today
Eyesight Associates is proud to offer clients laser assisted cataract surgery that produces precise, remarkable results. To learn more about laser cataract surgery, schedule a consultation with us today.