Laser Cataract Surgery – Its types, benefits, and how it is performed!

A cataract may occur as a result of clouding of the natural lens of the eye, which may lead to the blurring of vision, decrease in contrast sensitivity, night vision problems, and glare. A cataract is considered to be one of the most common causes of treatable blindness globally. This can neither be cured with the help of medication nor can it be treated with glasses. A cataract is the opacification of the clear natural lens. In the process of laser cataract surgery in NJ, the cataract is removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens. NJ,

Types of laser cataract surgery

There are two types of cataract surgery performed by eye surgeons. These are –

Phacoemulsification or phaco – In this cataract surgical process, a small incision is made on the side of the cornea, the clear, dome-shaped surface covering the front of the eye. In this surgical procedure, your doctor inserts a tiny probe into the eye. This instrument sends out ultrasonic waves that break apart the lens, making it easy to remove with a suction device. Today, most laser cataract surgery is done by phacoemulsification, also referred to as “small incision cataract surgery.”

Extracapsular surgery – In this cataract surgical process, your doctor makes a longer incision on the side of the cornea and removes the cloudy core of the lens in one piece. Suction is used to take out the rest of the lens.

How does a surgeon perform laser cataract surgery?

In this surgical procedure, an imaging device is first placed over the patient’s eyes to measure the length, breadth, and location of the cataract in the patient’s eye. The eye surgeon then sent this gathered information to a special software computer that programs the laser for the required cataract surgical incision on the patient’s eye. The surgeon makes an incision in the cornea, and a hole is made in the eye’s capsule using a laser. The ultrasound waves from the laser are used to soften the cataract so that lens can easily be broken into pieces and suctioned out. The surgeon then inserts an intraocular lens (IOL) into the eyes of the patient in place of the patient’s natural lens. Cataract surgeons may use various lenses for this surgical procedure depending on the type needed –

Monofocal IOL –

This lens is used for distant vision. With this kind of lens, the patient might need corrective or computer glasses before post-surgery.

Multifocal IOL –

This lens provides a clear vision to a patient. Using this lens, the patient can perform daily activities and does not need any corrective glasses though they might see halos-around light while driving.

Newer Multifocal IOL –

This lens does not cause halos around light while driving and can minimize glare. It comes in two types, i.e., Symfony and trifocal lens. Symfony lenses treat distance and near vision, while the trifocal lens is implanted for near, distant, and intermediate vision.

Benefits of laser treatment for cataracts –

Though many complicated steps need to be performed during the surgical procedure, there are still various benefits of this surgery –

Highly accurate and precise –

In this surgical procedure, femtosecond laser technology is used to make incisions, so this surgical procedure is more precise and accurate.

Blade-free –

The laser breaks up the cataract and creates a small incision to remove the affected lens, compared to traditional surgery, which uses a needle, blades, and handled devices to make an incision.

Lessen downtime –

As the laser breaks up and softens cloudy cataracts after the circular incision has been made, this surgical process takes less energy than traditional cataract surgery. After post-surgery, the patient can resume their usual daily activities within a few days, provided they take the proper medication and necessary precautions.

Increase vision –

Compared to traditional surgery, which can be used for treating cataracts only, laser cataract surgery can correct pre-existing astigmatism.

So, mentioned above is some information about laser cataract surgery. If you are searching for a renowned eye care & surgery center in NJ, look no further than New Jersey Eye Center. We have a team of qualified ophthalmologists who are experts in treating glaucoma disease, cataract treatment, retina disorders, and more.

Cost Factors to Consider Before Scheduling a Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery is a common procedure to treat a condition where there is an excessive buildup of protein in the lens of the eye, causing the vision to become more opaque and cloudy. Recent statistics show that more than 3 million cataract surgeries are performed each year in the United States and are believed to be one of the safest surgical procedures.

Cataract surgery is a routine outpatient procedure that doesn’t require the patient to stay overnight at the hospital. The average cost of cataract surgery can range from $2500 to $6000, depending on the location and the individually priced clinics. Although most private insurance covers the standard cataract surgery since it is medically necessary, you should be mindful of any offset out-of-pocket expenses. For example, the fees of an anesthetist can cost from $200 to $500 per hour for the procedure. Thus, if your insurance company doesn’t cover cataract surgery, you should be prepared with an eye vision plan to cover the cost and post-surgery expenses.

Cataract surgery price can vary substantially based on a number of factors, including:
Your area and the treatment charges of the hospital or clinic;
The skill, experience, and the reputation of the surgeon;
The type of toric IOL, i.e., lens implant that you choose. The cost of cataract surgery with toric IOL is approximately $1500. On the other hand, if you choose a refractive IOL, it can push the cost by an additional $1500 to $6000.
Pre and post-operative ophthalmology visits, medications, and tests performed during eye checkups. Your eye surgeon may require you to visit the clinic to review the recovery of your eye after the surgery.

All these factors can add to the total cost of the surgery. Hence, it is important that you check with your private insurance well in advance of your surgery to ensure that you will be covered for this medically necessary procedure. The New Jersey Eye Center offers cost-effective cataract surgery. So, consult with our highly experienced ophthalmologists for a complete eye exam and restored vision.

What to expect from Laser Cataract surgery procedure?

A cataract is a common condition that causes the lens of the eye to become cloudy. Cataracts can develop naturally due to aging. Cataract surgery is needed when the cataract makes it difficult for patients to perform day-to-day activities. A laser cataract surgery in NJ is the best way to eliminate this problem and restore vision.

There are many eye care & surgery centers that provide laser cataract surgery in NJ. It is best to consult with the experts at the top eye care & surgery center in NJ regarding a laser cataract surgery procedure. A laser cataract surgery procedure is different from a traditional surgical procedure. It is much more precise, safe, and has a quick recovery rate. Here is what to expect in laser cataract surgery:

Two weeks before your cataract surgery, your doctor will conduct many tests, which may include a 3D scan of your eyes. They will need to do these tests to determine the best lens for your eyes.
Your doctor will advise you not to eat or drink anything for at least 12 hours before the surgery. You should also make sure to minimize the consumption of any alcoholic drinks 24 hours before surgery.
The laser cataract surgery procedure takes over an hour in most cases. It is a highly customized and precise treatment using advanced 3D imaging.
After the surgery, most patients can go home in about 30 minutes to an hour. Therefore, you should make arrangements for someone to drive you back home in advance. The healing period may differ in each case. Your doctor will provide you a comprehensive range of precautions that you should follow for quick recovery.
After the surgery, you will feel discomfort in your eyes for a few days, but you should avoid itching your eyes. Your doctor may prescribe specialized eye drops to accelerate your recovery process.

Although most cataract patients are ideal candidates for laser cataract surgery, it is best to schedule a consultation and discuss your options in more detail with an eye care expert from the top eye care & surgery center in NJ.