The future of cataract surgery is here
Most ophthalmologists in the US today still use traditional freehand and manual methods of cataract surgery. Envision Eye Specialists is the first practice in St. Louis, Missouri to offer laser assisted cataract surgery and we know more and more doctors will start offering it because of the superior results it provides. And while traditional cataract surgery still provides good results, we chose to offer another level of care for our patients and to give you a full range of options when it comes to cataract surgery.
What is laser cataract surgery?
Laser assisted cataract surgery is more precise and accurate than manual cataract surgery. The most important step of cataract surgery is to make a cut into the bag that holds the lens to get to the cataract, this cut is called a capsulorhexis. One of the many functions of the laser is to make a very precise, reproducible and well centered capsulorhexis. In traditional cataract surgery, the surgeon attempts to manually tear a 5mm circle inside of a moving eye. It is impossible for a surgeon to freehand an exact 5mm circle and make it perfectly circular and centered every time. While that margin of error is acceptable for good outcomes, a more precise cut likely gives better outcomes, it holds the lens in place better -- creating a more reproducible and accurate effective lens position thus leading to more accurate results. The laser also fragments the lens, making the cataract easier to remove. Theoretically that requires less energy to get it out thereby inducing less trauma to the eye and faster recovery.
The use of the laser minimizes patient movement -- the laser equipment is designed with a stabilization kit that bridges the laser to the patient's eye which stabilizes the eye.
In addition to a precise cut, the laser also lets the doctor correct astigmatism, which is where the cornea is not shaped perfectly round. Most patients have at least a small amout of astigmatism. Traditional cataract surgery does not correct astigmatism. By correcting astigmatism, the laser improves the odds of having the best possible outcome.
Once the cut is made, the laser efficiently breaks down the cataract lens in the patient's eye.
The laser procedure takes 5 minutes and is done in the pre-op holding area, the surgery proceeds in the operating room as usual.
Insurance companies do not reimburse for this technology so there is an added fee for this procedure.
The use of the laser minimizes patient movement -- the laser equipment is designed with a stabilization kit that bridges the laser to the patient's eye which stabilizes the eye.
In addition to a precise cut, the laser also lets the doctor correct astigmatism, which is where the cornea is not shaped perfectly round. Most patients have at least a small amout of astigmatism. Traditional cataract surgery does not correct astigmatism. By correcting astigmatism, the laser improves the odds of having the best possible outcome.
Once the cut is made, the laser efficiently breaks down the cataract lens in the patient's eye.
The laser procedure takes 5 minutes and is done in the pre-op holding area, the surgery proceeds in the operating room as usual.
Insurance companies do not reimburse for this technology so there is an added fee for this procedure.
Why choose laser cataract surgery?
The added precision and accuracy that the laser allows is well worth the investment in your eyes. There are very few things in life you use every minute of every day while you are awake. Your eyes are one of them. The doctors and scheduling staff will answer your questions regarding the options you have available. The human body is a unique and wonderful thing, but it is still sometimes unpredictable. This awesome laser technology improves our odds of delivering outstanding results; it still does not guarantee them.
Contact our staff to schedule an appointment.
Contact our staff to schedule an appointment.
LenSx trialsDuring clinical studies of the LenSx laser, 120 eyes were studied. 60 had a manual capsulorhexis made with a bent or shaped needle. The other 60 eyes had a capsulorhexis performed by the LensX laser. The study found that the results with the laser had an accuracy of + or - 0.25 millimeters in diameter on all 60 procedures. In contrast, only 10% of the manual capsulorhexis achieved a similar result and in the manual group the error was as much as 1.6 millimeters. The precise capsulorhexis contributes to better lens positioning and therefore more predictable visual outcomes.
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In addition, clinical studies of the LenSx laser showed significantly reduced ultrasonic power was needed to remove the lens when it was first broken down with the LenSx. It also demonstrated that, on some occasions, the lens could be sufficiently liquefied by the laser to allow it to be aspirated without the use of ultrasound.
For more information on the LenSx laser, click here |