When performing routine, everyday activities and enjoying your favorite hobbies becomes challenging because of cataracts, your eye doctor may recommend laser cataract surgery. Laser cataract surgery is a technologically advanced procedure with clinical advantages that have revolutionized the treatment of cataracts.
Keep reading to learn more about what laser cataract surgery is and how it could improve your life and vision.
What Are Cataracts?
A cataract is a cloudy spot on the natural lens of the eye. They typically form when proteins break down and form clumps inside the lens.
Most cataracts are a result of aging. However, other factors can contribute to early cataracts, such as overexposure to UV light, a past eye injury, diabetes, or previous eye surgery.
Regardless of the type of cataract you have, you’ll require surgery to treat it once it begins compromising your vision. Cataract surgery removes and replaces your natural lens with an intraocular lens (IOL), enabling you to see clearly again.
What are the Symptoms of Cataracts?
Cataracts often develop gradually. You might not experience any vision changes in the early stages.
However, as they continue to develop, you may notice the following symptoms:
- Cloudy or blurred vision
- Colors appearing muted or faded
- Trouble seeing at night
- Sensitivity to light and glare
- Double vision in one eye
- Needing brighter lighting to read
- Seeing streaks or halos
- Frequent changes in your prescription
If you have any of these symptoms, visit your eye doctor at VisionFirst Eye Center to receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
What are the Types of Cataract Surgery?
Early on, visual impairment from cataracts is usually minor and can be eased with brighter lighting and glasses or contact lenses. However, as the cataracts advance and impair more of your vision, these temporary solutions won’t help preserve your sight.
Your eye doctor will recommend cataract surgery when poor vision from cataracts starts impacting your quality of life. Cataract surgery is the only effective way to permanently remove cataracts and restore clear vision.
There are two main types of cataract surgery: traditional and laser.
What is Traditional Cataract Surgery?
Until several years ago, traditional cataract surgery was the only procedure used to remove a cataract. In conventional cataract surgery, your surgeon uses a blade or scalpel to create a tiny incision in your eye by hand.
From there, they make a circular opening on the lens capsule to reach the cataract-affected natural lens. They then insert a tiny probe through the incision.
The probe emits ultrasound waves that break the cataract into tiny fragments. Next, your cataract surgeon suctions out the fragments and inserts a new IOL to replace your natural lens of the eye, allowing you to see clearly.
The incision heals on its own and doesn’t require stitches.
What is Laser Cataract Surgery?
Laser cataract surgery is an advanced technique for removing a cataract. It leverages laser technology and 3D imaging, producing better and more precise incisions than can be achieved by hand.
In laser cataract surgery, a laser replaces most hand-held instruments used in conventional cataract surgery. Your cataract surgeon begins by placing a camera over your eye to accurately map out the unique characteristics of your eye.
The camera then sends the data gathered to a computer that programs the femtosecond laser with the exact size, depth, and location of the incisions needed to remove the natural lens. Next, they use the laser to make precise incisions in your eye and on the lens capsule.
Additionally, they apply laser energy to the natural lens to soften and break it into small pieces. This allows for an easier and gentler removal of cataracts.
The laser uses considerably less energy than ultrasound to break up the cataract, decreasing the chances of corneal swelling, which can affect vision. Once the fragments are removed, your cataract surgeon inserts the IOL.
The incision made on the lens capsule by the laser is perfectly centered, allowing for more accurate placement of your new IOL. Finally, the incision is left to heal on its own.
Because hand-held instruments are not used in laser cataract surgery, some of the challenging steps in traditional cataract surgery are now automated, adding to the procedure’s safety. When you choose laser cataract surgery, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your journey to restored vision will be as safe and accurate as possible.
Are you interested in laser cataract surgery? Schedule an appointment at VisionFirst Eye Center in Birmingham, AL, today!
