Traditional cataract surgery, also known as phacoemulsification, is the most common eye surgery in the world and is considered safe and effective. However, laser-assisted cataract surgery is the latest and most advanced method for performing cataract surgery. Many eye doctors prefer laser cataract surgery to traditional cataract surgery as a pre-treatment to “soften the cataracts.” It all comes down to what you want in terms of improving your eyesight and your lifestyle. Phacoemulsification is by far the most common type of cataract surgery performed in the developed world, with a lower adoption of FLACS.
During this procedure, the natural opaque lens is removed and replaced by a transparent artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). Your eye doctor will talk to you about IOLs and how they work. Let's take a closer look at laser-assisted cataract surgery and some of its results. The advanced technologies available today, together with the excellent overall safety of the procedure, make it an exciting time to undergo cataract surgery. A few years ago, the studies I referred to hadn't been published and the eye community agreed that laser-assisted cataract surgery was probably a better option.
However, other studies looked at that specific complication and found no significant difference between traditional and laser-assisted cataract surgery. If you're comfortable wearing eyeglasses after cataract surgery, a monofocal lens may be the right choice. If you want to avoid wearing distance glasses after cataract surgery and you have astigmatism, a toric lens might be appropriate. A corrective lens for presbyopia may be the best option if you want to avoid wearing distance and reading glasses after cataract surgery. During preoperative consultations, your surgeon should be able to identify what type of cataract surgery is right for you and help you choose the best course of action. Monofocal lens implant — Envista trifocal lens implant by Bausch and Lomb — Synergy and Panoptix are some of the options available today. Although cataract surgery is common, it's important to find an experienced surgeon who can make the process stress-free.
In conclusion, it's important to understand that there are different types of cataracts and different types of surgeries available for each one. Your eye doctor will be able to help you decide which type of cataract surgery is best for you based on your individual needs. Laser-assisted cataract surgery may be beneficial for some people but it's important to weigh all options before making a decision.
