Why Laser-Based Cataract Surgery Is The Premier Choice
If you have cataracts, you should know that there are two types of cataract surgery. The first is performed manually, using a small blade and other handheld instruments. The second is performed with lasers. Some patients are initially a bit wary of having lasers shined in their eyes, and that's understandable. However, the laser-based approach is better for most patients and is widely considered to be the premier option for cataract surgery. Here's why.
1. It's better at breaking up really thick lenses.
Your cataracts need to be broken apart before they can be removed from your eye. Some cataracts are thinner and more brittle. Others are really thick and hard to break apart. Your surgeon may not be able to tell how hard your cataracts will be to break apart until they begin the surgical process. If you opted for traditional cataract surgery, and your cataracts are quite thick, breaking them up to remove them may be quite difficult, and your surgeon may cause some trauma to the eye in the process. A laser, on the other hand, can break apart tough cataracts as quickly and easily as it breaks apart thinner and more brittle ones. This will be easier on your eyes, potentially shortening your recovery time.
2. It's faster.
While your eyes will be numb during cataract surgery, you will be awake. Since having your eyes operated on is not the most pleasant thing in the world, it's understandable if you want it to be over sooner. Fortunately, laser-based cataract surgery is significantly faster. The whole procedure takes about 20 minutes or less. All you'll really see when it's happening is a kaleidoscope of colors, which is the laser doing its job. This is a better view than that of a scalpel.
3. It can correct for astigmatism.
Astigmatism is essentially when your corneas are too pointed in the front instead of being rounded. It can make manually operating on your eyes a lot harder. Not only can the laser that performs cataract surgery easily work on eyes with astigmatism, but it may be able to correct for astigmatism by reshaping the cornea during the same operation. This will help improve your vision going forward.
If you have the option of laser-based cataract surgery, or if your doctor recommends this approach, definitely go for it. Traditional cataract surgery works, but laser-based surgeries are so much better in the long run. Contact a doctor for more information regarding cataract surgery.
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