Get the Facts: Laser-assisted Cataract Surgery Versus Standard Cataracts Surgery

Dr. Lauren Dyak

There are two safe and effective methods to perform cataract surgery: laser-assisted cataract surgery and standard cataract surgery.

What is Traditional/Standard Cataracts Surgery?

Traditional cataract surgery is the most commonly performed eye surgery in the world. It involves the surgeon using special tools to manually create tiny incisions through the cornea, the clear dome covering the front part of the eye.

A small instrument is then inserted through the incision, and ultrasound energy is utilized to break up the natural crystalline lens, through a process called phacoemulsification.

The lens fragments are then removed, and an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) is inserted into the eye. The IOL has a refractive power to it, similar to an eyeglass lens or contact lens, and can thus correct a patient’s vision in addition to being less clouded than the original lens.

Once the surgical process is complete, the incision typically self-seals, usually not requiring any sutures.

Which IOL is right for you?

What is Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery?

Laser-assisted cataract surgery takes out some of the manual aspect of the procedure. It uses a specialized laser to partially automate the process.

The laser specifies the precise location, size, and depth of the corneal incisions and can also be used to create the incisions, open up the capsule that will stabilize the new artificial lens, and even help break up the cataract into removable fragments.

This typically results in less inflammation, less surgical time involved, with the goal of a more precise result. Laser-assisted cataract surgery is not typically covered by insurance, so patients usually incur some out-of-pocket cost for this procedure (here are some of our patient financing options).

Choose Woolfson Eye Institute
for Cataract Surgery

A well-trained cataracts surgeon should be confident performing both cataract surgery methods; however, they may make specific recommendations for your treatment method depending on the health of your eyes, the desired outcome, and the chosen intraocular lens implant type (monofocal, toric, or multifocal).

If you would like to be evaluated for cataract surgery by our eye doctors, call a Woolfson Eye Institute office nearest you for an appointment (our locations can be found here).