FRCOphth, CertLRS.
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Vision correction surgery @ Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
+971 2 665 2051
LASER CATARACT SURGERY
Femtosecond laser precision
Laser cataract surgery — also called Refractive Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery (ReLACS) — is an advanced type of cataract surgery that uses femtosecond laser technology to bring a new level of precision and accuracy to specific steps in cataract surgery that traditionally have been performed with hand-held surgical tools.
These steps include:
The corneal incision
The anterior capsulotomy
Lens and cataract fragmentation
The added precision, accuracy and reproducibility of each of these steps, when performed with a laser, potentially can reduce certain risks and improve visual outcomes of cataract surgery.
advantages of laser cataract surgery
Precise incisions
In laser cataract surgery, the surgeon creates a precise surgical plan for the corneal incision with a sophisticated 3-D image of the eye called an OCT (optical coherence tomography).
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The goal is to create an incision with a specific location, depth and length in all planes, and with the OCT image and a femtosecond laser, it can be performed exactly without the variable of surgeon experience.
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This is important not only for accuracy but also for increasing the likelihood that the incision will be self-sealing at the end of the procedure, which reduces the risk of infection.
Capsulotomies
In traditional cataract surgery, the surgeon creates an opening in the capsule with a small needle and then uses that same needle or a forceps to tear the capsule in a circular fashion.
In laser cataract surgery, the anterior capsulotomy is performed with a femtosecond laser like the type used in LASIK vision correction surgery. Studies have shown that capsulotomies performed with a laser have greater accuracy and reproducibility.
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Studies also have shown that laser capsulotomies enable better centering of the intraocular lens, and IOL positioning is a significant factor in determining final visual outcomes.
Lens fragmentation
Femtosecond lasers, help to soften the cataract as it breaks it up. By breaking up the cataract into smaller, softer pieces, less energy should be needed to remove the cataract, so there should be less chance of burning and distorting the incision and the cornea.