Is cataract surgery done with a laser?

Sometimes: Until a couple of years ago all cataract surgery was performed manually. In fact most still are. The femtosecond laser is a relatively new device that makes incisions and breaks the cataract up into pieces.

Ultrasound: The predominant technology for cataract removal is ultrasound. In the last 2 years the femtosecond laser has been developed to assist in cataract surgery, however thei cost (which is substantial) is not covered by insurance. The laser does not replace the need for ultrasound, and other traditional technology , but merely supplements it. Femto-laser cataract surgery is still in it's infancy.

Yes and no: Parts of the surgery can be done with laser but not the entire procedure.

Femto Laser: The femtosecond laser was approved about 2 years ago to assist with certain steps of cataract surgery. It is not widely used because it is prohibitively expensive and not covered by insurance. Modern cataract surgery is done by ultrasound and utilizes sophisticated lens implants to correct for pre-existing refractve errors. Laser or no laser, modern cataract surgery is a miraculous operation.