Cataracts involve a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which can lead to blurred vision, faded colors, and difficulty seeing at night. Cataract surgery restores clear vision by removing this clouded lens. The procedure replaces the natural lens with an artificial one, allowing light to properly focus on the retina.
What Cataract Surgery Involves
Cataract surgery is typically an outpatient procedure, meaning patients return home the same day, replacing the clouded natural lens with a clear, artificial intraocular lens (IOL). The process begins with the administration of anesthesia, often eye drops, to numb the eye. A small incision is then made in the cornea. Through this opening, the surgeon accesses and removes the clouded lens. The new IOL is inserted into its place.
The Standard Surgical Method
The most common method for cataract removal is phacoemulsification. During this procedure, the surgeon creates a very small incision, typically around 2 to 3 millimeters, using a surgical blade. A thin probe is inserted through this opening, emitting high-frequency ultrasound waves that break the clouded lens into tiny fragments. These fragments are then suctioned out of the eye through the same probe. The continuous flow of fluid through the probe helps maintain the eye’s pressure and keeps the surgical field clear, promoting faster healing.
Integrating Laser Technology
Lasers can also be used in cataract surgery, a method known as femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS). A femtosecond laser performs several steps that are traditionally done manually. It creates precise incisions in the cornea and forms a circular opening in the lens capsule, a delicate membrane surrounding the lens, known as a capsulotomy. The laser can also soften the cataract and break it into smaller pieces, which are then removed using the traditional ultrasound probe. This laser-guided precision enhances the consistency of these initial surgical steps.
Comparing Surgical Approaches
The primary difference between traditional phacoemulsification and laser-assisted cataract surgery lies in how initial steps are performed. In traditional surgery, the corneal incisions and the opening in the lens capsule are made manually by the surgeon. With laser assistance, these steps are executed by the femtosecond laser, providing computer-guided precision. The laser can also pre-soften the cataract, potentially reducing the ultrasound energy needed during phacoemulsification. Both methods are effective in removing cataracts and restoring vision, with the choice depending on patient eye characteristics, cataract type, and the surgeon’s preference and experience.