Cataract Surgery

Traditional vs. Laser Cataract Surgery

Laser cataract surgery is the most advanced method of removing cataracts. Laser-assisted cataract surgery requires no blade. Before the surgery, your surgeon will create a detailed surgical plan by mapping out the cornea using an OCT (optical coherence tomography). Then, a femtosecond laser is used to create the incision in an extremely precise manner.

To get to the cataract, your surgeon must perform a capsulotomy. A thin, clear capsule surrounds the eye’s lens. The front portion of the capsule needs to be removed to gain access to the cataracts. During traditional cataract surgery, this is done with a small needle. During laser-assisted cataract surgery, this is done with the laser.

After the capsulotomy, your surgeon will need to break up the cataract to make it easier to remove. Traditional cataract surgery requires an ultrasonic device to complete this portion of the surgery.

The laser helps soften the cataract and makes it easier to remove. This requires less ultrasonic energy and reduces the risk of complication. Once the cataract is out, your surgeon will manually insert the new IOL through the incision. This happens the same in both procedures.

Laser Cataract Surgery Technology

Eye Center of Hawaii uses the LENSAR® Laser System to perform our laser-assisted cataract surgeries. We use this system because it is the only femtosecond laser designed from the ground up for use during cataract surgery. The LENSAR® Laser System allows cataract surgeons to deliver precise, predictable and extremely effective results.