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Cataracts, a clouding of the lens, are a very common condition affecting people around the world. The World Health Organization estimates that about 94 million people worldwide are currently experiencing cataracts, making it the leading cause of blindness and distance vision impairment. Once cataract start to develop, they will continue to worsen until they completely cover the eye. The good news is that cataract surgery is very effective at fixing cataracts and is considered very safe. However, many patients are now asking about laser vs traditional cataract surgery, wanting to know what the difference is, how much each procedure costs, and what the recovery time is, among other things. Understanding the benefits and differences of each approach can help patients make an informed decision about their eye care.
What Are Cataracts?
Cataracts develop in the lens of the eye when protein deposits begin to build up, causing vision distortions that can lead to blindness. When the proteins in the lens start to break down and clump together it may only impact a small portion of the lens, allowing light to continue to reach the retina. When cataracts first start to develop, patients may not notice any changes to their vision or any symptoms at all. However, when the protein deposits get bigger, it blocks incoming light from reaching the retina, making it more difficult to see. This is when patients may begin to notice cloudy or blurry vision, halos or glares around lights, trouble seeing at night, double vision, and colors appearing faded.
The exact cause of cataracts is unknown, but certain risk factors have been identified and include advanced age, smoking, excessive UV light exposure, diabetes, alcohol, and others. Most people that develop cataracts are older. Most people between the ages of 40-50 will start to experience the development of cataracts. There are other types of cataracts that people may develop, including congenital cataracts which occur when a baby is born with cataracts, secondary cataracts due to a disease or the use of steroid medication, and traumatic cataracts caused by an injury to one or both eyes.
What Is Traditional Cataract Surgery?
While cataracts cannot be prevented from developing, they can be fixed with surgery. The surgery removes the clouded lens and replaces it with an artificial replacement, preventing the development of future cataracts. Cataract surgery is one of the most common and safest surgeries performed around the world. When first discovering cataracts, most people can adapt their lifestyle slightly to accommodate cataracts, that includes using a magnifying glass, getting an eyeglasses prescription, or even using stronger lighting. When it is no longer feasible to make such adjustments, and cataracts have impacted daily life, surgery is the solution.
Traditional cataract surgery is safe and effective and is performed by skilled ophthalmologists. During traditional cataract surgery, after the patient has been administered anesthesia, either local or general, the surgeon will make an incision in the cornea to access the lens using a blade. Once the surgeon has access to the cataract, they will use an ultrasonic probe to break up the cataract and a suction tube to remove all of the pieces and prepare the capsular bag for the artificial lens. The foldable intraocular lens (IOL) will be inserted through a tube and secured within the eye. Following cataract surgery, you may experience some mild discomfort, such as halos after cataract surgery, but you will not require stitches or an extended healing time. Most patients have a very fast procedure and can recover in the comfort of their home.
How Is Laser Cataract Surgery Different?
Thanks to advancements in laser technology, surgeons can now use lasers during cataract surgery. The process of the surgery is essentially the same as the traditional procedure listed above, but with laser cataract surgery surgeons employ the femtosecond laser to make the incision in the cornea, making it more precise and small. Whereas in traditional cataract surgery the doctor will use a blade. The laser can also be used to break up the cataract itself. Laser cataract surgery delivers greater precision, allowing doctors to customize the surgery fit your needs, and perform a controlled procedure, reducing manual steps.
What Are the Differences Between Laser vs Traditional Cataract Surgery?
It is important to note that both types of cataract surgery are considered to be safe and effective. In fact, they have very similar success rates for visual acuity and low rates of complications, which is not common for surgery. When deciding between the two, you will need to take into consideration which is best for you based on a number of factors including your surgeon’s experience, the technology available at the surgery facility, insurance coverage, recovery time, risks and complications, and more. Use the chart below to review the differences between the types of surgeries.
| Traditional Cataract Surgery | Laser Cataract Surgery |
| Traditional cataract surgery features handheld equipment, such as a blade and ultrasonic probe, wielded by the surgeon. | Laser cataract surgery is performed using a femtosecond laser. OCLI Vision surgeons use the CATALYS® laser. |
| Recovery time from surgery is about a week, but may be up to 4-6 weeks depending. | Because the laser can soften the cataract before removal, patients report a shorter healing time with less inflammation. |
| Surgeons cannot fix an astigmatism during traditional cataract surgery. | A surgeon can correct for astigmatism during laser cataract surgery. |
| Most often traditional surgery is covered by insurance, however, premium IOLs are often extra. | Generally more expensive than traditional cataract surgery and is not covered by insurance. |
| No special appointments or surgeons needed, it is a widely performed surgery. | Need to find a qualified surgeon with experience performing laser cataract surgery. |
Choosing the Best Cataract Surgery Option for Your Needs
As with any surgery, you should consider carefully the benefits and drawbacks of each type of cataract surgery before deciding. Traditional cataract surgery and laser cataract surgery luckily have similar outcomes, but one may be preferable to the other for reasons such as insurance, additional vision corrections required, or ease of recovery. Ultimately, choose an experienced, knowledgeable surgeon that you trust.
Finding Cataract Surgeons Near Me
If you still have questions or want to schedule a consultation, contact OCLI Vision today.
