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Laser Cataract Surgery vs. Traditional Cataract Surgery
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 Drs. 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.
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What to Expect After Cataract Surgery
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8 Reasons to Consider Multifocal IOLs for Cataracts
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Choosing a Multifocal Lens for Cataract Surgery
“Should I get the multifocal lens for cataract surgery?” While the decision to get cataract surgery in Houston can be easy, the patient often also has to make custom choices about their vision correction. For some, the different lens options can be a little overwhelming at first. Here’s why multifocal lenses for cataracts might be the right choice for you.
Understanding cataracts & cataract surgery
In order to understand the purpose of multifocal intraocular lenses (multifocal iols), you need to understand cataracts and corrective cataract surgery. Cataracts are a natural part of the eye’s aging process and occur when the clear lenses of your eyes begin to cloud. This clouding can be exacerbated by some natural phenomena, such as prolonged sun exposure to the eyes.
There are steps you can take to avoid cataracts. (Check them out here: How to Avoid Cataracts.) Nevertheless, by the age of 65, nearly 90% of people will have developed a cataract at some point.
Eventually, cataracts can lead to diminished vision and can impair your ability to perform many daily tasks. However, if a cataract evaluation shows that you’re a good candidate for cataract surgery, you may be able to clear and correct your vision.
Cataract surgery is a minimally invasive procedure during which a doctor removes a cataract via tiny incisions. It is a common, safe, and stable procedure. Many eye surgeons report successfully performing cataract surgery on patients in their 70s, 80s, and even 90s in some cases.
Understanding intraocular lenses & cataract surgery
When a cataract is removed from the patient’s eye, a replacement lens needs to be inserted so the patient’s vision will be clear and focused.
A replacement lens is known as an intraocular lens. Patients can choose their preferred type of intraocular lens: monofocal intraocular lenses or multifocal intraocular lenses.
Choosing between a monofocal and multifocal lense for cataract surgery is an important part of the cataract surgery process. But what is the difference between monofocal lenses and multifocal intraocular lenses?
Monofocal lenses for cataracts
Monofocal intraocular lenses are typically a common choice for cataract surgery. However, these lenses focus on just one distance, as opposed to multifocal lenses. Monofocal intraocular lenses require you to choose whether you want to see far, intermediate, or near distances. You will also be able to choose whether you want both to see different distances in each eye.
With monofocal intraocular lenses, patients will experience clear and corrected vision within their distance of choice. That said, it may be difficult for the eyes to adjust from daily vision needs with differing distances, such as reading a book, working in the backyard, driving a car, and driving at night.
Multifocal intraocular lenses for cataracts
Unlike monofocal intraocular lenses, multifocal intraocular lenses allow you to see a range of distances. Instead of choosing just one distance, you can both read a book and see a sign on the road. Multifocal lenses for cataracts can have other benefits, including both cataract and astigmatism correction.
What is the best lens replacement for cataract surgery?
Which lense is better, monofocal or multifocal? Which lens is best for cataract surgery replacement? The best answer to questions like these is: it depends on your vision needs.
It’s best to consult with your doctor to find which type of lenses suit your needs. However, one thing that your doctor will probably consider if you elect monofocal lenses is that, if you wore glasses before the surgery, then you will likely need to wear glasses afterward as well.
The corrective lenses in your glasses will help you see the distance you did not elect for when choosing monofocal lenses. So, if you chose a far distance, then you will need reading glasses; if you chose a near or intermediate distance, then you will need distance glasses.
On the other hand, multifocal lenses for cataracts provide vision correction for multiple distances. For that reason, many patients are able to reduce their dependence on glasses after cataract surgery.
Toric multifocal lenses and ReSTOR multifocal lenses for cataracts
There are different kinds of multifocal lenses to choose from. If you have astigmatism, Eye Center of Texas can provide you with what is called an AcrySof IQ Toric lens. This unique, donut shape lens provides different refractive powers that correct astigmatism.
Toric lenses can be more effective than other astigmatism correction techniques because they can take care of two problems at once: cataracts and astigmatism.
Another kind of multifocal lense, the AcrySof IQ ReSTOR lens, is the most advanced multifocal intraocular lens we provide at Eye Center of Texas. This multifocal intraocular lens features patented apodized diffractive technology, which allows you to see all distances with the best clarity.
Another benefit of ReSTOR lenses is that they provide excellent distance vision in low light situations, such as nighttime driving. Patients have also reported a much lower incident rate of halos around light in low light situations.
Finally, ReSTOR lenses treat Presbyopia, a natural condition that leads to worsened vision. At Eye Center of Texas, 4 out of 5 patients have reported complete freedom from glasses or other corrective means when they elect for ReSTOR lenses.
Should I choose a multifocal lens for my cataract surgery?
Eye Center of Texas is here to help you decide which multifocal lens for cataract surgery best suits your vision needs. Over 275 Houstons-area doctors trust the team at Eye Center of Texas. Start your vision correction today by scheduling an appointment to see if multifocal intraocular lenses are the right fit for you.
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