What is the best and safest cataract surgery?

Asked by: Caden VonRueden PhD  |  Last update: September 21, 2023
Score: 4.9/5 (46 votes)

Traditional cataract surgery is one of the most common surgeries in the world. It is recognized as being safe and effective. Laser cataract surgery is not covered by most insurance plans. It costs more than traditional cataract surgery as well.

What is safest cataract surgery?

Traditional and laser-assisted cataract surgery are both safe, complications are rare, and both methods produce clear vision with little discomfort.

Which type of cataract surgery is best?

And many ophthalmologists prefer laser cataract surgery over traditional cataract surgery as a pre-treatment to “soften” cataracts. Traditional cataract surgery is performed by creating a small incision, using a scalpel, in the side of the cornea by hand.

Is it better to have laser surgery for cataracts?

The laser is particularly useful when a cataract is dense or the opening is difficult to create. However, the laser's accuracy is also important when surgeons want to implant a multifocal lens, which corrects distance and close-up vision, or a toric lens that corrects astigmatism, Dr. Horne said.

What is the most advanced technology for cataract surgery?

FLACS or Femto laser-assisted cataract surgery is an innovation in cataract surgery. Being bladeless, it has significantly automated the complicated steps of cataract surgery, resulting in quicker recovery & better visual outcome. With Femtosecond laser, cataract surgery is now more safe and accurate.

Which is the best method for Cataract Surgery? - Dr. Sirish Nelivigi

18 related questions found

What is the newest procedure for cataracts?

Laser-Assisted Surgery is Revolutionizing Cataract Treatment

The system precisely maps the eye using high-resolution images to provide detailed measurements and other data used to perform the surgery. A computer-guided laser then makes a tiny incision in the eye, through which the surgeon inserts a small probe.

Is robotic cataract surgery better?

Better Visual Outcome

It also guarantees the removal of cataracts and cloudiness. In contrast to manual cataract surgery by a surgeon, robotic surgery guarantees more efficacy and sharpness.

Who is not a candidate for laser cataract surgery?

Because vision can change dramatically during the adolescent years, laser eye surgery is not recommended for anyone under the age of 18. Those who are pregnant or nursing. Hormone fluctuations during pregnancy and nursing can cause changes to a woman's vision and corrective prescription.

Is laser cataract surgery worth the extra money?

Both methods are extremely successful and safe.” To translate that into simpler terms, on average, the evidence suggests that patients who have laser-assisted cataract surgery tend to see about as well as patients who have traditional cataract surgery. Not significantly better, or worse.

What are the cons of laser cataract surgery?

In fact, laser cataract surgery has a higher risk of several complications, such as swelling of the cornea, swelling of the retina, haze behind the lens, trauma to the cornea, and rupture of the capsule that holds the lens.

Which type of cataract is the most visually disabling?

In our study, the severity of cortical cataracts was greater than posterior subcapsular and nuclear opacities. Late cortical cataracts are associated with denser opacities in the center of the lens affecting the visual axis, therefore contrast sensitivity is more severely reduced with this type of cataracts.

What age is best for cataract surgery?

There is no single recommended age to get refractive cataract surgery. Cataracts normally develop after age 40, and some people elect for early intervention to restore their vision sooner. Patients can also delay their procedure until they're in a more convenient place in life.

At what stage cataract surgery is recommended?

If a cataract makes it difficult for you to carry out your normal activities, your doctor may suggest cataract surgery. When a cataract interferes with the treatment of another eye problem, cataract surgery may be recommended.

What is the danger of delaying cataract surgery?

Delaying treatment for cataracts is rarely an option. Unfortunately, if left untreated altogether, cataracts can cause serious damage and impairment to your vision. If your cataracts are slow-growing, you may be able to put off surgery, but most doctors will not recommend this approach.

What is the failure rate of cataract surgery?

You'll be happy to know that not only is cataract surgery nearly painless with a quick recovery process, but it also has a very high success rate — 97-98% according to recent studies. This is because it is a common surgery that involves very few (if any) possible complications.

What are the 3 types of cataract surgery?

There are three major cataract surgery procedures:
  • Phacoemulsification.
  • Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS).
  • Extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE).

What percentage of cataract surgeries have complications?

Cataract surgery has high rates of both success and safety, with Harvard Medical School explaining that the treatment is “low-risk, fast, and effective.” Over 98 percent of patients report no outstanding issues. However, in that 1-2 percent, there is still some risk when it comes to cataract surgery.

How long does it take to recover from cataract eye surgery?

The full recovery period for cataract surgery typically lasts around 8 weeks, during which you will likely have several follow-up appointments with your eye doctor to ensure proper healing. While the full recovery period lasts around two months, 9 out of 10 patients are seeing better immediately following surgery.

Why doesn't insurance pay for laser cataract surgery?

Some insurance companies offer a vision plan which may provide a discounted price or apparent partial coverage for laser eye surgery. Because laser eye surgery is an elective surgery, many health insurance companies consider it cosmetic and not medically necessary.

Why not to get laser eye surgery?

LASIK results in loss of visual quality

LASIK patients have more difficulty seeing detail in dim light (loss of contrast sensitivity) and experience an increase in visual symptoms at night (halos, starbursts, glare, double vision/ghosting, ).

Is there any age limit for laser cataract surgery?

The age group of 20-40 years is correct for a laser eye surgery. However under normal conditions you are never too old for them, and for some extreme cases, you are never too young for one.

What precautions should you take before cataract surgery?

Follow the doctor's advice on fasting. Unless otherwise instructed by Dr. Silk, do not eat or drink past midnight on the day before your appointment. It's also important to abstain from consuming any alcoholic beverages (like wine, beer, or liquor) for at least 24 hours prior to cataract surgery.

Why can't you drink water before cataract surgery?

Don't: Eat or Drink Right Before the Surgery

While under sedation, there is a chance of stomach acid going into your lungs, which can cause damage. You will need to fast for about 12 hours before surgery to ensure you are safe from this effect.

What are the most common problems after cataract surgery?

Complications
  • Posterior Capsule Rupture/Vitreous loss.
  • Cystoid Macular Edema.
  • Endophthalmitis.
  • Vitreous/Suprachoroidal Hemorrhage.
  • Retinal Tears/Detachment.
  • Lens Dislocation.

What happens if you accidentally bend over after cataract surgery?

There are several things people should avoid after eye surgery. Avoid bending over for the first 48 hours after the surgery, as this can cause pressure to build up in the eyes and interfere with healing.