How to Treat a Cataract? Your eye includes a lens, which is normally clear. As you age, that lens can become cloudy which results in blurred vision. The good news is that cataracts (the clouding of the lens in the eye) can be treated with surgery. Vista Eye Specialists offers two great surgeries to choose from; Traditional and Laser, but which one is right for you?
Traditional vs. Laser Cataract Surgery
Both traditional and laser cataract surgery are very safe procedures. During both procedures, the cataract is broken up and removed. The natural lens is then replaced with an artificial intraocular lens. During traditional cataract surgery, the surgeon uses handheld instruments to create the incision in the eye and remove the cataract. During laser cataract surgery, the surgeon utilizes a laser to make the incision and break up the cataract.
Which Cataract Surgery is Right for Me?
Both procedures remove cataracts and offer patients improved vision. So why choose one procedure over the other? Here, the experienced eye doctors at Vista Eye Specialists explain the benefits of laser cataract surgery over the traditional procedure.
During traditional cataract surgery, the surgeon uses a microblade to make the initial incision in the eye so that the cataract can be removed, and the replacement lens can be inserted. During laser-assisted cataract surgery, the surgeon uses a laser to soften the cataract and create the opening to remove the cataract. Softening the cataract allows for less time and ultrasound energy in the eye to remove the cataract, potentially leading to less swelling of the cornea.
A computer-guided laser procedure allows the surgeon to plan the procedure based on the unique features of the patient’s eye anatomy. This plan is then implemented with the help of the automated laser during surgery. Using technology, the surgeon can plan the procedure and know that the procedure will be executed precisely how it was planned. The ability to plan and execute using laser technology fosters more precise surgical outcomes, especially when compared to a procedure where the surgeon is manually creating reference marks for surgery.
Schedule Your Cataract Evaluation
If you are suffering from cloudy or blurred vision as a result of cataracts, schedule a comprehensive eye exam with our experienced eye doctors to learn about your treatment options. Contact Vista Eye Specialists in Fredericksburg and Culpeper, Virginia today.
