The newest procedure for cataract surgery is called femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS). This innovative technology utilizes a femtosecond laser to precisely and quickly break up the cataract—which is the clouding of the eye’s natural lens—into smaller pieces, making way for the surgeon to then use a small ultrasound device to break up and remove the tiny pieces.
This facilitates quick and accurate visual treatments, and reduces the risk of complications.
During the procedure, the surgeon applies the laser while viewing the eye through a specialized microscope, which provides a 3D high-definition view of the eye. Along with the laser, a computer-controlled device is used to precisely send millions of tiny plasma bubbles into the cataract, thereby softening and breaking up the cataract.
It can also be used to create small openings in the capsular bag and perform other precision actions when necessary.
FLACS is a safe, reliable and effective procedure for cataract surgery, and it offers potential benefits when compared to traditional cataract surgery. Patients tend to experience a quicker visual recovery, and because the procedure is so precise, there is a decreased risk of lens damage or capsule tears.
Additionally, with its increased accuracy and speed, there is greater predictability and improved outcomes for cataract removal.
Table of Contents
Is laser cataract surgery better than regular cataract surgery?
Yes, laser cataract surgery is generally better than regular cataract surgery. Laser cataract surgery utilizes a computer-controlled, ultra-fast and extremely precise laser to perform the procedure, whereas regular cataract surgery uses a blunt surgical instrument to perform the same task.
Laser cataract surgery is more accurate and allows for more precise results in terms of incision size, position, and depth. Additionally, it can minimize corneal astigmatism, reduce the risk of complications, and offers better outcomes in terms of vision quality and visual acuity.
Recovery time is also typically shorter for laser cataract surgery than for regular cataract surgery. This is due to the laser’s precision, which results in fewer post-operative issues such as swelling, corneal edema, or corneal misalignment that can occur with regular surgery.
As such, it is generally agreed upon by eye specialists that laser cataract surgery offers significant advantages when compared to regular cataract surgery.
What percentage of cataract surgeries have complications?
The exact percentage of cataract surgeries that have complications is difficult to determine, as the rate can vary depending on the individual patient, the specific surgery being performed, and the expertise of the practitioner performing the surgery.
Complications from cataract surgery are rare, but can occur anywhere from 0.45% to 8.1%. The most common complications from cataract surgery are increased intraocular pressure, displacement of the intraocular lens, or issue with the wound closure.
Other, less common complications can include posterior capsular rupture, postoperative inflammation, cystoid macular edema, and endophthalmitis. To minimize complications, it is important to schedule regular follow up appointments and use a highly experienced eye care provider for the cataract surgery.
Who is not a good candidate for laser cataract surgery?
A person who is not a good candidate for laser cataract surgery would be someone who is under the age of 18, someone with a medical condition such as diabetes or glaucoma, or someone with an eye disorder such as macular degeneration or retinitis pigmentosa.
Additionally, patients who have had previous eye surgeries may not be good candidates for laser cataract surgery. Laser cataract surgery is also not recommended for people who have dry eye syndrome or ocular herpes.
Finally, someone who is pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid laser cataract surgery, as the laser may be too powerful near the vulnerable eye area.
Is there a reason not to get cataract surgery?
There are generally no reasons not to get cataract surgery. As long as the person meets certain criteria and is not at risk for other medical conditions, the benefits of cataract surgery generally outweigh the risks.
The most common risks associated with cataract surgery are infection, inflammation, bleeding, and a change in vision. There have also been rare reports of swollen retinas and retinal detachment after surgery.
However, these risks are very low and practitioners take precautions to ensure these risks are minimized. Other conditions that may prevent someone from undergoing cataract surgery include uncontrolled diabetes, an eye injury that was not treated properly, chronic dry eye, increased pressure in the eye, immunosuppressed conditions, and some medications that may interfere with the surgery.
If a person has an active infection or a preexisting condition such as glaucoma, then the doctor may recommend alternative treatments or delay the surgery until the condition is managed. All in all, there are very few reasons not to get cataract surgery.
Why do doctors delay cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery is one of the most common and successful operations in all of medicine, but doctors will sometimes delay the procedure. This is because the doctor needs to weigh the risks and benefits of the procedure for each individual, as the decision will depend on numerous factors, such as the patient’s overall health and lifestyle.
Specifically, the doctor will consider the patient’s age, lifestyle factors, visual acuity (level of sight), underlying medical conditions and general health before an operation is suggested, because these factors all affect the decision-making process.
The doctor will also check for any potential comorbidities that may increase the risk or make the surgery more complicated. Some of these comorbidities include diabetes, glaucoma, macular degeneration, uveitis, corneal scarring, ocular hypertension and other conditions that may be more difficult to treat.
The presence of these comorbidities may result in the doctor delaying the cataract surgery so that these conditions can be addressed first.
In addition, the doctor may also be waiting for the cataract to progress to a point where the patient’s vision is significantly impaired, as the surgery is more successful when the cataract has reached a certain stage.
In this case, the doctor may opt to wait until the cataract has sufficiently progressed before the patient is referred for cataract surgery.
Ultimately, the decision to delay cataract surgery is completely dependent on the individual situation and can only be made by a qualified healthcare professional after a thorough evaluation of the patient’s health and lifestyle factors.
Is laser eye surgery better than lens replacement?
It really depends on your individual situation and what your goals are in terms of vision correction. Lens replacement is a great option if you’re looking for a permanent change with relatively low risk and low recovery time.
However, laser eye surgery may be the better choice if you’re looking for the most advanced form of correction with a potentially better outcome in terms of vision quality.
Ultimately, it’s important to talk to an eye specialist to make the right decision for you. Both laser eye surgery and lens replacement procedures have certain advantages and disadvantages, so it’s best to understand all of your options before making a decision.
For example, lens replacement can potentially be faster than laser eye surgery and offer better depth of focus after the procedure, however, the primary benefit of laser eye surgery is its precision and the ability for your eye doctor to precisely tailor the procedure to your individual needs.
Additionally, laser eye surgery may also offer potential advantages in terms of cost-effectiveness over the long term.
At the end of the day, start your research by talking to an eye specialist to determine which option is the best fit for you.
Which is better lens or laser eye surgery?
The decision of whether to choose lens or laser eye surgery depends on a variety of factors and should be discussed with your ophthalmologist. Generally, lens surgery is used when a person is looking to correct their vision and replace their natural lenses with artificial lenses.
This procedure can be used to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Laser eye surgery, also known as refractive surgery, is used to improve vision by reshaping the cornea with a laser so that light is focused properly on the retina.
This type of procedure can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Depending on the individual, one procedure may be better than the other as a better option for correcting the person’s vision.
When considering which procedure is better, factors such as the degree of vision correction needed, age, lifestyle, and overall health need to be taken into consideration. Lens surgery is generally recommended for those with very high levels of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, and for those with cataracts.
Laser eye surgery is more commonly recommended for those with mild to moderate vision correction needs. It is also more popular in younger people since the effects of the surgery typically last for about 10 years and require periodic maintenance.
Those that participate in contact sports and have a tendency to rub their eyes may also benefit from laser eye surgery over lens surgery since there is no risk of the lenses being dislodged.
It is important to discuss the specifics of your situation with your ophthalmologist in order to obtain the best and most informed option in terms of what procedure is best for correcting your vision and the lifestyle that you live.
How long does cataract removal surgery take?
Cataract removal surgery is a relatively quick procedure and typically takes 15 minutes or less to complete. After being given a local anesthetic, an ophthalmologist will open up the patient’s eye and use a high frequency ultrasound device to break up the cloudy cataract.
They then use a suction device to remove the clouded lens which is replaced with a synthetic intraocular lens. The entire procedure is generally done within 15 minutes. However, the entire visit including prep, pre-operative tests and post-operative instructions can last two to four hours.
Recovery time is around one to two weeks and most patients can expect to return to normal activities such as driving and reading within that time frame.
Are cataracts painful to remove?
Cataracts are not painful to remove as the procedure is performed under general anesthesia. During the procedure, an eye surgeon will make a small incision in the cornea and use a process called phacoemulsification, which involves using a special probe to break up the cataract and then suctioning it out.
Patients typically do not experience pain during or after the procedure, but may experience a minor amount of discomfort, such as mild pressure or a feeling of warmth, during the procedure. Some patients may experience some redness, blurred vision, or watery eyes in the days following the procedure, but any discomfort should be short-lived.
As long as people follow their eye doctor’s post-operative instructions, they should experience a swift return to regular vision clarity and experience no long-term pain or discomfort.
How is cataract surgery performed?
Cataract surgery is usually an outpatient procedure that takes approximately 30 minutes. During the surgery, the eye surgeon will first numb the eye with eye drops and then use a special type of lens to remove the clouded natural lens of the eye and replace it with a new artificial one.
This new lens is called an intraocular lens (IOL) and helps restore clear vision.
The surgeon may use one of two methods to perform the surgery; the traditional procedure that is done with a highly specialized microscope, or the newer laser procedure, which is more precise and accurate.
The traditional procedure uses a procedure called phacoemulsification, where the surgeon inserts a small ultrasonic probe into the eye and uses high frequency sound waves to break apart and remove the clouded lens.
The surgeon also inserts a small incision or opening in the cornea to remove the lens.
The newer laser procedure uses a computerized laser that is guided by the surgeon to execute the steps of the cataract surgery. This can include creating a small opening in the cornea, softening the affected lens and breaking it into tiny pieces, and finally, removing the clouded lens and replacing it with the IOL.
Recovery after cataract surgery is relatively quick, with most patients able to return home within one hour of the procedure. Within days, vision should start to improve. Postoperative use of eye drops and ointments as prescribed by the eye surgeon can help reduce the risk of inflammation and infection.
Do you need someone to stay with you after cataract surgery?
Yes, you may need someone to stay with you after cataract surgery. The type of assistance you need depends on your specific situation. If you are unable to drive yourself home after surgery, then you will need a designated driver.
In most cases, you will not be able to drive yourself the day of surgery due to the effects of anesthesia. Additionally, depending on the specific instructions from your eye doctor, you may need someone to stay with you for at least the first 24 – 48 hours to help with daily activities, such as bathing and preparing meals.
It is important to get plenty of rest and reduce activity in order to ensure maximum effectiveness of the surgery and a successful post-surgical recovery. Having someone around to help can help ensure that this happens.
What happens if you blink during cataract surgery?
If you blink during cataract surgery, it is not a big problem and can be managed. In most cases, the surgeon will give you a mild sedative to help you keep your eyes open, such as a mild dose of Valium.
Some surgeons will also use a device that gently rests against your eyelid, keeping it from blinking.
If you do blink during the surgery, the surgeon will likely stop and reposition the eye, so as to not disturb the eye’s position or the delicate tissues around it. The procedure will then be resumed once the eye is back in the proper position.
As long as the process is stopped and restarted quickly, the chances of any lasting complications or effects are minimal.
In some cases, if the blinking occurs too often or if the eye goes off-center, the surgeon may need to adjust the size of the pupil or reposition the eye several times. This might delay the completion of the surgery and/or require an additional procedure.
In general, these are rare cases, and it is important to follow all pre-operative instructions provided to ensure the best possible outcome.
Are patients put to sleep for cataract surgery?
No, patients are not typically put to sleep for cataract surgery. The procedure is usually done with the patient awake and comfortable, using a combination of pain relief, topical anesthesia (eye drops) and mild sedation.
This allows the patient to remain relaxed throughout the procedure while also keeping them alert and responsive. The anesthesia administered during cataract surgery is mild and not meant to make the patient “sleep,” but rather to make them more comfortable during the procedure.
Some patients may even stay awake throughout the entire procedure and converse with the doctor.
Is cataract surgery major surgery?
Cataract surgery is a typically safe and routine procedure to help restore vision for patients suffering from cataracts. However, it is still considered major surgery as there are potential risks involved, including infection, swelling, inflammation, and inflammation from pressure inside the eye.
During cataract surgery, the clouded lens of the eye is removed and replaced with an artificial lens implant, so it is not a minor procedure. Typically, the surgery is done under local anesthesia, but patients will still be sedated and monitored throughout the procedure.
The surgery usually takes 20-30 minutes to complete, with most patients leaving the surgery center the same day. Recovery time varies, but most people can return to work and other normal activities the day after the surgery.
As with any surgical procedure, it is important to speak with your doctor and ask any questions you have before undergoing the surgery.
