How effective is the new laser cataract surgery?

Good for parts: Laser assisted cataract surgery is just that. The new femtosecond laser helps make the incision part of cataract surgery more precise and predictable than traditional methods. The laser does not do the entire operation--only parts of it. There is a considerable extra expense to using the laser that is paid for by the patient.

Very: Its strength in cataract surgery lies in its accuracy and precision to make incisions in both the cornea and the lens. The laser can also soften the nucleus of the lens, effectively decreasing the amount of ultrasound energy needed to remove the lens. The laser can minimize certain risks during these steps during traditional cataract surgery.

Very Precise: The newest laser cataract surgery has made the procedure quicker. The laser provides more accuracy.

Important advance: Femtosecond laser cataract surgery is an important advance which will pave the way for even more advances. The laser adds precision and accuracy to the cutting portion of the surgery and softens the hard cataract to reduce the ultrasound energy required for the rest of the operation, potentially increasing safety. As with any new technology, it is good now, and will get better with time.

Precise: In my hands , femtosecond cataract surgery offers precision that can exceed current techniques . Most impressive is the ability to perform corneal incisions that reduce astigmatism . This is a hot button topic and an evolving technology that is hotly debated in our field.