How the Femtosecond Laser is Improving Cataract Surgery

It’s estimated that 60 percent of Americans will develop a cataract in their lifetime. As the most common cause of vision loss, untreated cataracts potentially could lead to blindness.

There are varying treatment options for cataracts and revolutionary technology is making cataract surgery more precise and effective than ever. That technology is the femtosecond laser.

What is femtosecond laser technology?

Femtosecond laser technology has improved the safety and accuracy of cataract surgery. At Specialty Eye Institute, we specialize in treating cataracts and performing laser cataract surgery.

What’s the difference between traditional and laser cataract surgery?

In traditional cataract surgery, the surgeon uses a handheld instrument to make incisions in the cornea. After the incisions have been made, the surgeon will manually create an opening in the lens capsule where the cataract is located.

During laser cataract surgery, the femtosecond laser replaces or assists the hand-held surgical tool, and the laser creates a circular opening for accessing and removing the cataract. Clinical studies have said cataract surgery can be 10 times more accurate when using a laser.