Laser cataract surgery... What is the story?

Laser cataract surgery describes cataract surgery that is assisted by laser for certain steps of the cataract procedure.  There is currently one laser FDA approved to do this and there are several more that should be approved in the next year or two.  The lasers used in cataract surgery are able to make incisions, open the capsule of the cataract which is called a capsulorrhexis, and soften up the cataract so that is can be removed with less ultrasound energy.  In theory, is would be beneficial, but the technology is still new and needs some improvement.  Using the laser slows the procedure down significantly.  There is also laser energy delivered to the eye that is a new modality in cataract surgery.  Current cataract surgery is done quickly and effectively with an amazing safety profile.  Although the advertising has begun, the board certified cataract surgeons at North Shore eye care in smithtown new york in long island are waiting to see the results of the new technology before jumping in.

Also, the government and insurance companies have not agreed to pay for this new technology.  So cost is a big factor.  The eye doctors at North Shore eye care currently perform over one thousand cataract surgery procedures each year.  If every patient were forced to pay thousands of dollars per procedure, it would change the landscape of what we do.  Currently, only patients that desire a premium implant such as a toric implant or multifocal implant are able to have laser cataract surgery, but must pay extra for it. 

Our eye doctors are telling our patients that we are careful with new technology.  Laser cataract surgery may be standard at some point in the future, but our current success with this computer controlled refined cataract procedure leads us to believe that there has to be some significant improvement before it is mainstream.  There are several laser systems that will be available in the next few years that promise to be more refined and elegant than the current available system.  There are many questions that will be addressed and processes that will be improved upon.  Also, the question of payment will need to be addressed.

The board certified eye doctors at our suffolk county eye care practice serves patients from Riverhead and east to Smithtown and west.  We have always strived to be at the cutting edge of technology and innovation.  That is why we perform only bladeless custom lasik and cataract surgery without needles around the eyes, stitches or even an eye patch.  Our eye doctors have been seen in Newsday, the New York Times, New York Magazine and other publications as Top Doctors in the New York Metro Area for years and we are a National Crystalens Center of Excellence.  We are the Official Eye Care Provider of the New York Islanders and the Official LASIK Provider of the New York Mets.  With this, we will continue to inform our patients of every innovation in eye surgery and keep you posted.