When deciding to have cataracts removed, you will need to weigh the options between Traditional vs Laser Cataract Surgery. Both methods are safe and effective, but they differ in the way they are conducted. Here are the differences between traditional and laser cataract surgeries:
Traditional Cataract Surgery
The traditional way of removing cataracts has a long history of success, but the procedure is complicated. The Best Eye Surgeons must make a small incision in the side of your cornea to get rid of your clouded lens. Through phacoemulsification, the surgeon inserts a small probe into your eye to release ultrasound waves, which will break the lens before it is suctioned out. The same tiny incision will be the slot for IOL (intraocular lens) insertion. Because of the size of the incision, it will not require any stitches and the tissue in the eye should seal itself. Traditional cataract surgeries are conducted on an outpatient basis and take around 20 minutes. Recovery period is fast, and you can resume your normal daily activities rapidly.
Laser Cataract Surgery
This procedure is conducted using femtosecond lasers to break up cataracts. Surgeons rely on specialized software to make a surgical plan and a 3D image of your eye. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) pinpoints the exact depth, location, and length of cataracts in all planes, and the laser uses that as a reference to create incisions and to assist surgeons in removing cataracts. Light from the laser disrupts tissue borders with less damage to nearby tissues. Your old lens is removed before the new one is inserted. The laser performs all the important steps of incision, creating a circular opening for the cataract and fragmentation of the hard nucleus of the cataract into small pieces which can be removed with ease. This has greatly enhanced the safety, repeatability, and efficacy of cataract surgery. Recovery time is quick as very minimal energy is used to remove the cataract unlike traditional cataract surgery, the extent of inflammation in the eye after surgery is also minimal.
