Your eye has a clear lens that helps to focus light on the back of the eye. This is necessary for clear vision. A cataract is a clouding of this lens that can develop over time. This impacts how light enters the eye and can cause blurry vision as well as other symptoms. As a cataract progresses, vision can become cloudier and blurrier.
Cataracts will not go away on their own. However, it is possible to remove cataracts through surgery. Cataract surgery is a safe and effective way to restore vision. When it comes to cataract surgery you can choose between traditional cataract surgery or laser-assisted cataract surgery. If you are considering laser-assisted cataract surgery, then this article is for you. Here, the talented eye doctors at Vista Eye Specialists explain how laser cataract surgery works to restore good vision.
Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery
The goal of cataract surgery is to restore a patient’s vision. This is done by removing the cataract-clouded lens and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens.
One of the latest technological and surgical advances in cataract surgery is laser-assisted cataract surgery. Laser-assisted cataract surgery replaces the use of handheld blades and other instruments used in traditional surgery with a laser.
How Does Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery Work?
To begin surgery, the surgeon utilizes advanced technology to create a detailed 3D image of the eye. This provides the surgeon with more detailed information about the eye and enables the surgeon to explore more treatment choices during the cataract removal procedure. The 3D image also allows the surgeon to tailor the procedure to the individual needs of the patient. This may improve the surgical outcome for the patient.
Once the 3D image is created, it is used to guide the laser to create a circular opening in the lens capsule. The laser is then used to efficiently fragment the cataract into small pieces. Using a laser helps to minimize or eliminate the need for ultrasonic energy to break up the cataract. (Ultrasonic energy is used in traditional cataract surgery.) Reducing or eliminating the amount of ultrasonic energy released into the eye can potentially reduce complications and may speed up healing time.
The cataract is then removed, and the lens is replaced with an artificial intraocular lens. The artificial intraocular lens is selected to meet the patient’s vision needs. Without the cataracts the patient’s vision is no longer cloudy. Additionally, intraocular lenses can actually reduce or eliminate the patient’s need for contact lenses or prescription eyeglasses, even reading glasses.
Schedule Your Eye Exam in Fredericksburg or Culpeper
You don’t have to live with cataracts clouding up your vision. Schedule a comprehensive eye exam at Vista Eye Specialists to discuss your laser cataract surgery options.
