What are the current methods of cataract surgery? Is there such a thing as “laser” removal of cataracts?
There are generally two methods of cataract surgery widely used: PHACOEMULSIFICATION: This technic is a highly advanced method of cataract removal and has been the favored technic at Davidson Eye Associates for over 8 years in the vast majority of our patients. Here, an ultrasonic oscillating probe is inserted into the eye through a tiny incision no larger than a puncture wound. The probe breaks up the center of the cataract into extremely tiny pieces. The fragments are then suctioned from the eye at the same time. After the cataract is removed, a lens implant (see question 15 for details on lens implants) is permanently inserted into the eye to help focus light rays onto the surface of the retina as the natural lens used to do before it turned into a cataract. The incision created is so small that it rarely requires any stitches to close, and usually requires no more than numbing drops to do. The advantages of this technic is that the eye heals rapidly allowing patients to resume norm
