Is Laser Cataract Surgery Worth It?
April 12th, 2022
Do you have cataracts? Have you been discussing treatment options with your eye doctor?
There are many decisions to be made prior to having cataract surgery. One of these decisions is determining if having laser cataract surgery is worth the extra expense.
Keep reading to learn if laser cataract surgery is worth it!
What Does It Mean to Have a Cataract?
When you have cataracts, your vision is compromised, and surgery is required to restore your sight. When a cataract forms, your natural lens hardens and becomes foggy.
Cataracts can cause colors to lose their luster and your vision to seem cloudy. The only way to restore your vision is to have your natural lens removed and have an artificial lens inserted in its place.
A benefit of this process is that you may be able to reduce your dependency on glasses or contact lenses to see clearly. Many options are available to customize your surgery, and some can provide you with exceptional vision freedom.
What is Traditional Cataract Surgery?
Traditional cataract surgery is the most common method of treating cataracts. During cataract surgery, your cataract surgeon will make a small incision in your cornea.
Through this small opening, your eye doctor will remove your cloudy, natural lens and insert your new artificial lens. With traditional cataract surgery, this necessary incision is made by the steady hand of your cataract surgeon.
Because the incision is made by hand, there are more risks involved.
The incisions made in traditional cataract surgery often require stitches for proper healing.
Additionally, traditional cataract surgery can also require a longer healing time. The procedure takes about twenty minutes and is done in an outpatient facility.
Traditional cataract surgery is often covered by insurance, making it a cheaper option. Although your vision will likely be much clearer after traditional cataract surgery, you may still need glasses for certain activities.
What is Laser Cataract Surgery?
Laser cataract surgery is more precise than traditional cataract surgery. During laser cataract surgery, your cataract surgeon uses a laser to make the incisions in your cornea and perform the surgery.
This laser is able to be very precise and accurate, rather than relying on the steady hand of the physician. This bladeless laser is combined with accurate 3D images of your eye to ensure an exact incision into the cataract.
Having a precise incision is especially important if you want a multi-focal lens inserted. The laser also breaks up the cataract and dissolves it before the artificial lens can be placed in your eye.
Laser cataract surgery reduces your risk of swelling and complications.
Because this treatment method is more precise, it is often faster, and there is often no need for stitches.
Recovery time is shorter with laser cataract surgery than with traditional cataract surgery. There is often minimal downtime, meaning you can get back to living your life within a couple of days.
Laser cataract surgery isn’t always covered by insurance. It can seem like a lot of money to spend, especially when also factoring in the extra cost of a premium lens.
However, many people are very happy with the result of their laser cataract surgery. The laser method can be well worth the extra costs for those who want the best vision outcome.
Is Laser Cataract Surgery Worth The Extra Investment?
The best way to determine if laser cataract surgery is right for you is by visiting your eye doctor for an evaluation. You can discuss your vision goals with your eye doctor at this appointment.
They will help you determine which options will best fit your lifestyle and vision goals.
Are you interested in learning more about the benefits of laser cataract surgery? Schedule a cataract evaluation at Laser Eye Center in Huntsville, AL, today!
