Cataract surgery is one of the most common surgeries performed worldwide, with one in every three adults receiving the operation during their lifetime. This means that there is a strong chance that either you or a loved one will need to weigh the pros and cons of laser cataract surgery vs. traditional cataract surgery.

While traditional cataract surgery is safe, growing evidence tends to highlight the many benefits associated with laser-assisted cataract surgery. Learn more about these benefits, as well as more information on what other factors are important to weigh when considering laser cataract surgery vs. traditional cataract surgery.

Understanding laser cataract surgery vs. traditional cataract surgery

When considering laser cataract surgery vs. traditional cataract surgery, you’ll notice that the main difference between the surgeries is not the overarching procedural method but the way that method is reached.

In traditional cataract surgery, also called phacoemulsification, your surgeon creates a small, handheld corneal incision with a blade. Then, they insert a device through this incision and into the lens capsule. Next, your surgeon will break up the cloudy lens using ultrasound waves, remove those pieces out of the lens capsule, and replace the old, cloudy lens with a clear, artificial one

.

In laser-assisted cataract surgery, a camera is used to map the surface of your eye. Using this map, a femtosecond laser breaks up the cloudy lens and creates a precise incision in your cornea and lens capsule. As with traditional cataract surgery, your surgeon will then suction out the broken-up cloudy lens and insert a new artificial lens.

From incision to lens implantation, traditional cataract surgery takes around 15 minutes to complete, while laser-assisted cataract surgery takes around 20 minutes. Since the surgery duration is rather similar, you’re probably wondering, “Is laser surgery better for cataracts?”

Is laser cataract surgery safe?

Yes! Safety is one aspect that you typically don’t have to worry about when considering laser cataract surgery vs. traditional cataract surgery. However, the success of traditional cataract surgery can be highly dependent on the skill and experience of your surgeon.

Unsurprisingly, studies have shown that corneal incisions and anterior capsulotomy made during laser-assisted cataract surgeries may be more accurate than when they’re done with a handheld blade. Additionally, the heat generated by the ultrasound used in traditional cataract surgery is more likely to burn the corneal incision and damage the lens capsule.

While more testing needs to be completed, this accuracy and improved safety may help reduce your risks for incurring cataract surgery-related complications. (For more information on the safety of cataract surgery, read our blog addressing the question, “How safe is cataract surgery?”)

What is the laser cataract surgery recovery time?

The laser cataract surgery recovery time vs. traditional cataract surgery recovery time is not monumentally different. Patients might even be able to see clearly the day of or after surgery (although sometimes it can take up to 2 weeks to achieve clear vision), and they should be fully recovered after 3 months.

However, the higher likelihood of complications occurring in traditional cataract surgery may increase your recovery time.

What are the laser cataract surgery side effects?

Similar to recovery time, laser cataract surgery vs. traditional cataract surgery side effects tend to be the same. These can include:

• Eye infection
• Inflammation
• Bleeding
• Fluid buildup and/or eye pressure
• Implant movement or detachment
• Retinal detachment

Again, the increased accuracy and safety of laser-assisted cataract surgery may reduce the likelihood of you having to manage these potential side effects. For more information on post-cataract surgery side effects, read our blog on what to expect after cataract surgery.

Are there other ways to improve your cataract surgery outcome?

Whether you’re still debating laser cataract surgery vs. traditional cataract surgery or not, one way to improve your cataract surgery outcome is by carefully selecting the type of artificial lens you have implanted during your surgery.

The majority of patients opt for a monofocal intraocular lens, which allows you to see better in one distance dimension. Multifocal cataract lenses, however, allow you to see both near and far objects better and are the most common astigmatism-correcting lenses chosen for cataract surgery.

When discussing cataract surgery options with your ophthalmologist, make sure to ask about lens options.

Eye Center of Texas: Helping you make the right cataract surgery choices

Debating laser cataract surgery vs. traditional cataract surgery? Confused about the cost of cataract surgery or what insurance does and doesn’t cover? Worried that you have fast-growing cataracts and need surgery ASAP? The staff at Eye Center of Texas is here to help!

Eye Center of Texas’s Dr. Mark L. Mayo and Edward C. Wade are both pioneers in bladeless eye surgery methods and receive referrals from over 300 Houston eye doctors. Along with their colleagues at Eye Center of Texas, they have performed over 80,000 successful cataract surgeries.

There’s no better choice for your cataract surgery in Houston. Give us a call at 712-797-1010 or contact us online to request your appointment today.

Related Resources:

• Refractive/Clear Lens Exchange vs. LASIK Surgery
• Dry Eyes Syndrome
• Dry Eyes in Winter
• Are my Eyes Too Bad for LASIK?
• Houston: Common Vision Problems

Have you ever wondered, “Is my vision too bad for LASIK eye surgery?” If so, Eye Center of Texas has some news that just might make your day. Technology has improved such that patients with severe vision impairments may be able to achieve improved vision with LASIK eye surgery.
Learn about the wide range of eye power levels compatible with LASIK and other requirements for LASIK eye surgery today.

Understanding refractive errors and diopters

There are a lot of misconceptions around who can and can’t have LASIK eye surgery, which is why we receive so many questions like “Is my vision too bad for LASIK eye surgery” or, “Can my eyes be too bad for LASIK?” It all comes down to your maximum and minimum eye power.
So, what are people talking about when they mention maximum eye power for LASIK and minimum eye power for LASIK? The confusion probably stems from a lack of understanding as to how we measure maximum and minimum prescription ranges for LASIK. Typically, these ranges are determined by a person’s maximum and minimum eye power, which can be influenced by refractive errors.
Refractive errors — the light refraction errors created by a misshapen lens or cornea that cause common vision problems — are measured in diopters (D). Negative diopters indicate myopia (nearsightedness) and positive numbers indicate hyperopia (farsightedness).

Prescription ranges for LASIK eye surgery

While the range of diopters which LASIK can treat depends on the technology your surgeon uses, these are commonly recognized standards.

• Myopia, or nearsightedness: performing LASIK on eyes with myopia that is beyond a certain negative diopter measurement can cause nighttime vision problems and halos.
• Hyperopia, or farsightedness: performing LASIK on eyes with hyperopia that is beyond a certain diopter measurement can cause nighttime vision problems and halos. Note that the range of diopter measurements for farsightedness is smaller than that of myopia.
• Astigmatism, when both near and far objects are blurred: the LASIK for astigmatism limits are more variable. Each of the following has its own acceptable range, as is defined by your doctor.
  • Astigmatism combined with myopia
  • Astigmatism combined with hyperopia
  • Mixed astigmatism patients

Read more here if you’ve ever asked yourself, “Can LASIK correct astigmatism?”

What are the requirements for LASIK eye surgery?

Can LASIK give you 20/20 vision? Yes, it can. However, you must also meet other requirements for LASIK eye surgery. It’s worth going over the other parameters doctors use to determine who is and who is not suitable for laser eye surgery.
These include having corneal tissue that’s thick enough — approximately 420 microns — for LASIK. Most healthy eyes have corneas that around 550 microns thick.
Your eye health in general must be in good standing: Your prescription must not change for 12 months, you must not suffer from glaucoma, dry eyes, or cataracts; and you must have an average pupil size. Finally, women who are pregnant or nursing should wait to have LASIK. If you meet all of these conditions, then you may be able to correct your vision with LASIK eye surgery.
However, even if you’re a perfect candidate for LASIK surgery, it’s important that you follow through with pre-LASIK preparation, and that you choose a quality eye surgeon like those at Eye Center of Texas. Not doing so can increase your likelihood of needing contacts after LASIK.

Do I have other laser eye surgery options?

When your prescription or eye health disqualifies you from being a good LASIK candidate, it’s always worth speaking to your doctor about your other options.
For example, if you don’t qualify for LASIK, it’s possible that PRK eye surgery may be option for you. PRK is LASIK’s predecessor and can have the same positive results as LASIK. It has different ranges of acceptable eye power, and is available to some patients who do not meet all of the other requirements for LASIK eye surgery.
Occasionally, some patients even chose to have PRK LASIK enhancement after their original LASIK surgery.

20/20 vision (or better!) is possible with LASIK at Eye Center of Texas

The majority of patients who choose to have LASIK eye surgery report that their vision is now at 20/20 or better.
Don’t sit around wondering “Is my vision too bad for LASIK eye surgery?” and avoid taking action. You deserve clear vision. Eye Center of Texas, known for providing some of the best LASIK in Houston, is helping people restore their eyesight each and every day.
And remember: Even if your prescription doesn’t make you a candidate for LASIK now, that doesn’t mean LASIK will be unavailable to you for forever. Technology is always improving, and we encourage you to continue to check back.
To meet with our nationally recognized surgeons, call us at 713-395-1515 or contact us online to set up your free consultation today.
Related Resources:

• Cataract Surgery and Multifocal Lenses: Pros and Cons
• Fuchs Dystrophy and Cataracts
• Fast-Growing Cataracts
• UV Damage to Eyes
• LASIK FAQ

It’s true … the most common vision problems in Houston are also common vision problems throughout the rest of the world. But as fellow Houstonians, Drs. Wade, Mayo, and the staff at Eye Center of Texas know exactly what you’re missing out on when the health of your eyes is jeopardized, including but not limited to:

• The particulars of an Astros game
• The ability to navigate Houston’s 10-lane highways comfortably
• The detailed art at the MFAH and The Menil
• And of course, your beloved family and friends  

(more…)

Today, we are celebrating the perseverance of Eye Center of Texas patient Bekah Blanton, whose arduous, 6-year-long journey to find quality Keratoconus treatment led her to our offices this past July. After receiving the Corneal Cross-Linking procedure, Bekah’s vision is finally improving.
In honor of National Keratoconus Day and Bekah’s success, we want to help spread the word about what Keratoconus is and how the Corneal Cross-Linking procedure works.

What is Keratoconus?

Keratoconus is a condition of the eye in which the cornea weakens and being to “bulge” out. Many doctors, like Bekah’s, liken the shape of this bulging to that of a cone or a football. It typically causes nearsightedness, distorted and blurred vision, and light sensitivity.   

What is Corneal Cross-Linking?

Also called collagen cross-linking, corneal cross-linking is a procedure that helps strengthen the cornea. It can be performed in two ways, epithelium-off and epithelium-on. In the epithelium-off method, the outer layer of the cornea (the epithelium) is removed and a B vitamin, riboflavin, is activated using UV light. The same procedure is done in the epithelium-on method, although leaving the epithelium on increases the time needed for the riboflavin to reach the cornea.

End and begin you Keratoconus journey at Eye Center of Texas

Six years is a long time to wait for proper treatment. If you have Keratoconus, call Eye Center of Texas at 713-797-1010 or request an appointment online. Recommended by over 300 Houston-area doctors, Eye Center of Texas will help you take care of your vision.
In the meantime, we hope that by sharing this information about Keratoconus and Corneal Cross-Linking we can make the journey for patients like Bekah less difficult.

Clear lens exchange vs. LASIK surgery — Is one better than the other? If so, why? And for whom? Both LASIK and clear lens exchange (also known as refractive lens exchange) have pros and cons that are determined by a patient’s vision correction needs.
(more…)

Your quick guide to dry eye causes, symptoms, risk factors, and treatment

Dry eye syndrome, also called “dry eyes,” is a common condition caused by a lack of adequate moisture in your eyes. According to the National Women’s Health Resource Center, the likelihood of experiencing dry eyes increases with age, and dry eyes affect nearly twice as many women as men.
Is it dangerous to have dry eyes? While it may be easy to overlook the burning and itching caused by dry eye syndrome, if left untreated, dry eyes can eventually lead to great discomfort. In extreme cases, dry eyes may cause vision loss due to a scratched and/or scarred cornea (For more information, read our blog post to discover “What are the symptoms of a scratched cornea?)
Learn more about what causes dry eye syndrome, how to identify dry eye symptoms and risk factors, and what treatment options are available.

What causes eye dryness?

Tears are meant for more than crying; they also help keep your eyes healthy and lubricated. If your eyes aren’t be moisturized well enough by your tears for whatever reason, your likelihood of having dry eyes increases significantly. Dry eyes are most frequently the result of three different types of tear-related issues:

• Decrease in tear production
• Excessive tear evaporation
• Variance in a patient’s normal tear composition.

Decreased tear production causes and risk factors

Age is the most frequent contributor to decreased tear production. Age-related decrease in tear production typically begins after age 50. But what does our age have to do with our tears?
Our hormones continue to shift as we get older, including those that help regulate tear production. Women, who have a higher susceptibility to dry eye syndrome, also undergo more hormonal shifts than men (during both pregnancy and menopause). These shifts in hormones can cause a decrease in tear production.
Other risk factors for decreased production of tears include:

• Health conditions
  • Diabetes
  • Autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, rosacea, Sjӧgren’s syndrome. (These disorders can target the surface the eye, causing inflammation and dry eyes.)
  • Vitamin A deficiency
  • Thyroid disorders
• Medications
  • Birth control and acne medication
  • Antihistamines and decongestants
  • Depression and anxiety medications
  • Diuretics and beta-blockers
  • Sleeping pills
  • Medications for Parkinson’s disease
• Damaged tear glands
• Laser eye surgery such as LASIK, typically a temporary side effect. Read our posts about contacts after LASIK and dry eyes and LASIK eye drops for more information.

Excessive tear evaporation causes and risk factors

The culprits by excessive tear evaporation are often either the condition of the air in your environment or a decrease in your regular amount of blinking due to concentration. Dry air, smoke-filled air, or high winds can all contribute to dry eyes, as can spending extended periods at the computer, behind the wheel, or with your nose in a book, during which you are less likely to blink.
Read our posts on eye damage from cell phone use and avoiding eye strain for more information on issues regarding dry eyes and blinking.
Other risk factors for decreased production of tears include:

• Overwearing your contact lenses
• Air conditioning and fans which, like wind, can decrease humidity and worsen symptoms.
• Ectropion (out-turning of the eyelids) or entropion (in-turning of the lids)

Causes and risk factors for a disparity in average tear composition

Tears are not made of water alone. In fact, tears are comprised of three main elements — water, oil, and mucus. If your tears are missing any one of these elements, the surface of the eye will likely not receive enough moisture, which in turn can cause dry eyes. The risk factors and causes of inadequate tears often go hand in hand.
Risk factors for inadequate ears include:

• Clogging or blocking meibomian glands (also called tarsal glands), oil glands found on the rim of the eyelid
• Vitamin A deficiency
• Overwearing your contact lenses
• Being older than 50
• Being a woman

Symptoms of dry eye syndrome

The symptoms of dry eye syndrome vary widely and differ from person to person. For some, these symptoms can remain unpronounced (and easy to ignore) for some time. Neglecting to seek treatment, however, is typically unwise. When it comes to taking care of your eyes and your vision, it’s almost always better to go get your eyes checked — to be safe rather than sorry.
Common symptoms of dry eye syndrome include:

• Itching, burning, scratching, and stinging sensations
• Light sensitivity
• Redness (typically blepharitis, a type of eye inflammation)
• Excessively watery eyes
• Eye discomfort and/or intermittent eye pain
• The sensation of having a foreign body in the eye
• Blurry vision or fluctuating vision capacity
• Difficulty wearing contact lenses
• Difficulty driving at night

Dry eye syndrome treatment

How do you get rid of dry eyes? Luckily, there are many, many treatment options for dry eye syndrome. Even if your dry eyes don’t respond to simple home remedies for dry eyes such as using a humidifier (to add moisture to the air) or taking breaks from your screen, you have plenty of treatment alternatives to choose from.
The type of treatment you choose will depend on the frequency and severity of your dry eye syndrome. No eyes are the same (dry or otherwise) so it’s smart to consult with your doctor about which type of treatment will be best for your eyes.
Treatments for dry eye syndrome include:

• Artificial tears: Artificial tears, generally available without a prescription, can provide temporary relief from dry eye syndrome. Artificial tears are adequate for mild dry eyes, but if symptoms are not relieved with artificial tears alone, more treatment may be necessary.  
• Restasis or Xiidra: In addition to artificial tears, your eye care professional might recommend the daily use of a prescription drop, such as Restasis or Xiidra. These medications reduce the inflammation associated with dry eye syndrome and help your eye produce more natural tears. Symptom relief with these medications is not immediate; it may take up to three months for you to notice improvement.
• Punctal plugs: Punctal plugs (also called punctum plugs, lacrimal plugs, or tear duct plugs) are small devices that can be inserted into your tear ducts, helping tears stay on the surface of your eye longer periods of time. A punctal plug procedure can be completed in-office.
• Supplements: Omega-3 supplements have historically been recommended to help with dry eye symptoms. There is, however, controversy over their efficacy.
• Eyelid hygiene: Keeping the eyelids clean and healthy can help reduce eye inflammation. Many eye care professionals recommend warm compresses and lid scrubs for at-home eye maintenance.
• BlephEx: BlephEx is a quick in-office procedure that cleans they eyelids and eyelashes.
  
• LipiFlow: LipiFlow is another simple in-office procedure that clears clogged meibomian glands (the oil glands found on the rims of your eyelids).
• True Tear: True Tear is new device designed to stimulate natural tear production. Your own tears are released through simple and painless stimulation of the nerves in the nose. This treatment is a great option for patients who prefer to reduce their intake of medications or their use of eyedrops.
• Autologous Serum Tears: These eye drops are made from your own blood serum and can be an ideal option for those who have severe dry eye that doesn’t respond to other treatment.
• Specialty contact lenses: These specially designed contact lenses cover the eye and keep it moist. Scleral lenses are a popular option for more severe forms of dry eye syndrome.

Say goodbye to dry eyes at Eye Center of Texas

Whether your dry eyes are a result of medications, a health condition, or simply age, it’s best not to ignore your symptoms. The sooner you address your dry eyes, the sooner you’ll find relief, and the less likely your dry eyes will become a greater nuisance to you in the future.
Dry eye syndrome may be a common condition, but it’s also a highly treatable condition. With experienced doctors and six convenient locations, Eye Center of Texas has everything you need to find relief from dry eyes in safety and comfort.
Call Eye Center of Texas at 713-797-1010, or schedule an appointment online today.


Dealing with dry eyes in winter is enough to drag down anyone’s holiday spirit. While people in Houston may not have to contend with the dry air and winds of winter to the same extent that our northern brethren do, that doesn’t mean Houstonians don’t struggle with dry eyes in winter.
(more…)

When older people come to us, they usually raise a range of questions and concerns about their eyesight. Some wonder, “What’s the likelihood I’ll need glasses?” when what they really should be asking is “What are the early signs of cataracts?”
(more…)

Knowing what to expect after cataract surgery sets you up for a smooth recovery. Whether you elect to have dropless cataract surgery, laser cataract surgery, or to combine glaucoma and cataract surgery, it’s best to know in advance how you plan to handle driving after cataract surgery, exercising after cataract surgery, cooking after cataract surgery, and (potentially) blurred vision after cataract surgery.
(more…)

Knowing what to expect after glaucoma surgery can be just as important, if not more so than know what happens during the surgery itself, as you won’t be spending your recovery time in a hospital. As with all eye surgeries, it’s crucial that patients take good care of their eyes post-op in order to protect their eye health and vision.
(more…)