Understanding Why Laser-Assisted Cataract Removal May Be Best
If you have cataracts in your eyes that have significantly affected your vision, then it may be wise to go through a cataract removal surgery. Your eye doctor will likely talk to you about the steps that are taken to complete the operation and how either a scalpel assisted or laser assisted treatment can be performed. If you are not feeling confident about a laser surgery over a traditional one, then keep reading to learn about some of the benefits of the procedure over a more traditional approach.
Reduced Healing Time
Both laser-assisted and traditional scalpel operations used to treat cataracts will produce the same results. However, the surgical operations are completed in different ways. With a scalpel procedure, an incision is made in the cornea. A tool is inserted into the opening and the eye lens is broken up. The debris is removed with a vacuum tool, a new lens is inserted, and the incision is closed with stitches.
When a laser procedure is completed, an extremely small incision is produced. Eye mapping devices and precision lasers are used during the process. The laser breaks up the lens and pulverizes it. No debris removal is necessary. The new lens is then placed into the open incision. Since the opening is so small, no stitches are required to close it up.
One of the biggest differences between the scalpel and laser procedure is the size of the opening and whether or not stitches are required. The stitches do extend the healing time and removal will be required 10 days or longer after the surgery. Both the size of the incisions and the placement of the stitches can extend healing times and lead to some discomfort. You will have to heal after the laser surgery as well, but most patients experience very little discomfort after the operation.
Reduced Risks
Like any surgical procedure, there are some risks and complications associated with cataract removal procedures. A few examples include retinal detachment, bleeding, internal eye swelling, and improper removal of the eye lens and the retention of a cataract. Many of these complications and issues are directly related to the incision across the cornea and overall trauma to the eye. Since laser procedures are precise with computer-guided tools and imaging, trauma is reduced and incisions are much smaller. The result is far fewer complications.
The reduction in possible complications may be extremely important if you have high eye pressure, glaucoma, or a degenerative eye disease. In these cases, the cataract removal can worsen your other eye conditions. For more information, contact companies like Leader Heights Eye Center.
