There are two options for patients planning to undergo cataract surgery. They can either choose a traditional surgery or opt for a laser-assisted cataract surgery, The latter is offered to patients with astigmatism who want it corrected during the procedure, and/or need a premium lens implant such as toric or multifocal intraocular lens, i.e., IOL. Laser surgery helps surgeons make a precise incision in less time. It also ensures accuracy and consistency.
A femtosecond laser cataract surgery is a type of specialised laser procedure that allows surgeons to make precise targeted cuts for cataract and corneal surgeries. Learn more about the procedure, including femtosecond laser cataract surgery cost, procedure, recovery time, and tips to help you find the best eye specialist in Nagercoil.
What Is Femtosecond Laser Cataract Surgery?
Femtosecond laser cataract surgery is rapidly gaining popularity because of its improved consistency and predictability for corneal incisions. The procedure involves using an infrared laser to rapidly emit bursts of laser energy with a pulse duration of almost one quadrillionth of a second. The procedure was initially developed for LASIK surgery, but is now commonly used in a variety of eye surgeries.
This new generation laser surgery creates better incisions, thereby breaking the cataract without using traditional equipment like blades and scalpels. It can create precise incisions at exactly the right place within the cornea and lens.
Femtosecond Laser Cataract Surgery Procedure
A femtosecond laser cataract surgery is done by breaking the tissue at the molecular level and not cutting it with a blade. During the surgery, a camera is first placed over the eye to map the surface and collect information about the lens to be replaced. The computer uses this information to make precise incisions at the right location, size, and depth. The laser then disrupts the targeted tissue through photoionisation and vaporises it, thereby creating a split instead of a cut. The entire procedure takes around 30 minutes for each eye. You can go home immediately after the procedure, making sure you have someone to drive you home.
The incisions made using femtosecond laser technology are designed to close back up on their own from the pressure of the eyes once the procedure is completed. Self-healing helps reduce the risk of complications associated with cutting during a traditional cataract surgery.
While traditional surgery involves using ultrasound to remove the cataract, the femtosecond laser cataract surgery softens the cataract before removing it – this ensures less stress on the eye, less inflammation, and speedier recovery. The ophthalmologist then breaks up the lens, before vacuuming it out and replacing it with an interocular lens.
Benefits Of Femtosecond Laser Cataract Surgery
As earlier said, femtosecond laser cataract surgery allows precise incisions and minimal damage to surrounding tissues when compared to traditional cataract surgery. Naturally, there are fewer complications and patients can heal quickly. Another benefit is that it allows better consistency – when compared to a YAG laser, a femtosecond laser procedure causes 106 times less collateral damage. It ensures better treatment for astigmatism and centration of the intraocular lens.
Who Can Undergo Femtosecond Laser Cataract Surgery?
Not all patients with cataracts are suitable for femtosecond laser cataract surgery. Ophthalmologists will check for eye anatomy, type of cataract, and other factors before advising this procedure.
If you are unsuitable for femtosecond laser cataract surgery, the doctor may suggest conventional phacoemulsification cataract surgery. And if you are not suitable for laser surgery, the doctor may suggest a conventional manual surgery.
Femtosecond Laser Cataract Surgery Recovery
This is an outpatient procedure performed under local anaesthesia. The patient can return home immediately after the procedure with a protective shield over the eye. You must follow the doctor’s instructions, including applying eye drops. Within 2 to 3 days, you will experience improvement, and return to normal activities in a few weeks. Avoid touching your eyes or getting soap into the eyes for a few weeks after surgery.
You may experience itching or mild discomfort for a few days after surgery. Also, colours may seem extra bright because of the new lens implanted in the eye. This is also because you become habituated to seeing yellow or brown tinted until the surgery. The discomfort disappears in a few days.
Femtosecond Laser Cataract Surgery Cost
Femtosecond laser cataract surgery is relatively expensive when compared to other eye procedures because of the cutting-edge technology involved and the competence of the highly qualified professional following this process. However, costs depend on the location of the hospital and the experience of the ophthalmologist performing the surgery.
Best Eye Hospital In Nagercoil
Visit us if you are looking for an eye specialist in Nagercoil offering femtosecond laser cataract surgery. We are one of the best multispeciality hospitals in Nagercoil, offering various laser eye treatments while maintaining high standards of patient care. Consult our eye specialist in Nagercoil to check if you are a candidate for femtosecond laser cataract surgery.