Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat It IsPurposeHow to PrepareWhat to ExpectRecoveryNext in Cataract Surgery GuideCataract Surgery: Overview
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What It Is
Purpose
How to Prepare
What to Expect
Recovery
Next in Cataract Surgery Guide
Laser cataract surgery is when an eye surgeon removes aclouded lenswith a laser, then replaces it with an artificial prescription lens that restores clear vision. This method results in better healing and fewer complications than traditional cataract surgery, which uses a scalpel.
goir / Getty Images
What Is Laser Cataract Surgery?
Laser cataract surgery is an outpatient surgical procedure, meaning you can go home the same day. Steps in the procedure include:
An OTC-equipped laser is used to make the surgical incision for laser cataract surgery, whereas a small blade is used to make the incision in the eye for traditionalcataract surgery.
The Eye Lens' Function and Structure
Contraindications
You cannot have laser-assisted cataract surgery if you have dense corneal scarring or problems with the function of yourpupils, such as if they do not dilate large enough.
These issues may be the result of a previous corneal orglaucoma surgery.
Potential Risks
There are some risks associated with any cataract surgery. Adverse effects of surgery include bleeding, swelling, infection, or damage to the eye. Vision can be permanently affected if these complications are not effectively and promptly treated.
Sometimes, a secondary cataract can develop several months after cataract surgery, potentially requiring treatment.
Risks with the laser portions of surgery include incomplete capsulotomy and loss of suction during the procedure.Overall, these risks are low and the laser portion can simply be skipped if needed.
How Does Laser Eye Surgery Work?
Purpose of Laser Cataract Surgery
Having a cataract has been described as viewing the world through a dirty window. Some use the wordscloudy,foggy,blurry, orhazyto characterize their vision. Removing a cataract and replacing it with an artificial lens can improve lost vision clarity.
Cataracts are diagnosedwith an eye examination. You may be qualified for laser-assisted cataract surgery if yourastigmatismwill be corrected during the procedure and/or you need a special lens implant, such as amultifocal intraocular lens (IOL).These procedures require more precision than can be achieved with manual cataract surgery.
The decision to have a laser cataract surgery instead of traditional cataract surgery is based on several factors.
Some advantages of laser cataract surgery vs.traditional cataract surgery:
The selection of a laser method instead of a traditional method is not always obvious. Some studies haven’t found an advantage or disadvantage in terms of the complication rate or healing of a laser cataract surgery compared to a traditional approach.
How to Tell If Laser Eye Surgery Is Right for You
Because Medicare and many insurance companies don’t cover the cost of the laser-assisted method for all cataract surgeries, it’s best to call and find out if the technique would be covered in your case.
You will also have a chest X-ray and anelectrocardiogram (EKG)as part of your pre-surgical testing.
Location
Your laser cataract surgery will be done in an operating room or a procedural suite.
You will go to your appointment from home and can go home on the same day as your surgery.
What to Wear
You can wear anything comfortable to your surgery appointment. Be sure to have your hair pinned away from your eyes. Do not apply cream or makeup to the face the day of the procedure.
Food and Drink
You may be permitted to eat and drink as usual before your procedure, or you may be asked to not eat and drink prior to the surgery. Be sure to listen to the surgery center’s instructions on eating and drinking prior to surgery.
Medication
Your healthcare provider might ask you to stop or decrease your blood thinners in the days before your surgery. Sometimes, you might need to adjust other medications that you take as well.
What to Bring
You should bring a form of identification, your health insurance information, and a method of payment for any portion of your surgery that you will be responsible for paying.
Bring someone along who can drive you home after your surgery.
What to Expect on the Day of Surgery
Cataract surgery itself takes about 20 minutes. But between signing in, getting prepared for your surgery, and postoperative recovery, you can expect to spend between one to three hours at your appointment.
When you arrive at your appointment, you will register and sign a consent form. You will go to a pre-operative area where you will have your temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation checked.
You will have an IV line placed in your arm or hand or be given an oral medication. Your ophthalmologist and your anesthesiologist might see you before your surgery.
Before the Surgery
When you go to the operating room or suite where your surgery will take place, you will have anesthetic medication injected into your IV to make you drowsy and relaxed. You might fall asleep. Then you will have topical numbing eye drops put in your eye so you won’t be able to feel anything and eye drops to dilate your pupil.
Your face will be covered with a surgical drape. The area around your eye may be cleansed, and you may have antibiotic drops placed in your eye.
During the Surgery
You will have your laser cataract surgery with your eye open. A small retractor will be placed around your eye to keep it that way during the procedure.
Your ophthalmologist will make a small incision in the periphery of your cornea with the laser. This incision should be about 2 to 2.5 millimeters (mm) long with a slight vertical and horizontal component.
Then:
The incision is self-sealing, so stitches are not needed.Your eye may be covered with bandages for protection.
Any IV anesthesia will be stopped and you will go to a recovery area.
After the Surgery
In recovery, you may receive pain medication as necessary. Your nurses will make sure you are comfortable and can walk and eat without difficulty.
If you aren’t having any indication of complications (such as pain, bleeding, or swelling), you should be discharged to go home within a few hours after your procedure.
Before you are discharged, you will receive instructions about post-surgical eye care, when to make a follow-up appointment, and signs of complications to look out for.
Generally, healing after laser cataract surgery takes several weeks, but you may be able to see clearly within a few days after your procedure. You might be able to drive within the first week, but wait for your healthcare provider to give you the green light before getting behind the wheel.
Prescription antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops are generally given after surgery to assist with healing.
You will have an appointment to see your healthcare provider within a week. If you had an adjustable IOL placed, you will need to see your healthcare provider about two weeks after your surgery so that your healthcare provider can assess your vision and apply your prescription directly to your recently implanted lens with an ultrasound light.
You will see your healthcare provider again a few months later. You should be fully recovered after about three months.
Healing
You need to protect your eyes for several weeks after surgery while healing takes place. Don’t get water or chemicals (e.g., hairspray, house cleaners) in your eyes. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from sunlight and from bright indoor light.
You may see bright lights or halos around your field of vision as you are healing. Your eyes may feel dry or gritty. You can use artificial tears for comfort according to your healthcare provider’s instructions.
If you experience pain, swelling, bleeding, or worsening vision, be sure to call your healthcare provider’s office promptly.
Coping With Recovery
As you are recovering, you may experience a gradual stabilization of your vision. This happens as the lens capsule shrinks to hold the new lens in place.
The slight vision changes in the months after your surgery can make it difficult for you to drive or even walk steadily. Take it easy and discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider, especially if you are having vision changes that are different from what you were told to expect.
Long-Term Care
You should expect to experience substantial improvement in your vision. Typically, about six months after surgery, your vision should be stable.
You may still need to wear glasses even after your surgery. But for most people, the calculated power of the new lens implant can decrease the need for glasses.
Sometimes astigmatism will arise, causing reduced vision after surgery. You may need to wear glasses to correct this vision problem.
Possible Future Surgeries
You can develop a cataract in your other eye or you can develop a secondary cataract, a cloudy membrane that forms behind the lens, in your surgical eye. If that happens, you would have to discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider.
A secondary cataract can typically be removed with an in-office laser procedure called aYAG laser posterior capsulotomythat’s performed if cloudiness returns.
Lifestyle Adjustments
In general, you should not have any limitations as a result of having laser cataract surgery. However, it’s important that you have regularly scheduled eye exams so that your healthcare provider can identify vision changes early when they are still at a stage that is easy to treat.
A Word From Verywell
Laser cataract surgery is a method of cataract surgery. It is considered as safe as traditional cataract surgery, and there may also be some clinical advantages. But this approach isn’t for everyone, and your health insurance may not cover it. You and your healthcare provider can discuss the best treatment approach in your situation.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Opthalmology.Traditional cataract surgery vs. laser-assisted cataract surgery.Shaheen MS, Abousamra A, Helaly HA, Said A, Elmassry A.Comparison between refractive outcomes of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery and standard phacoemulsification.BMC Ophthalmol. 2020;20(1):1. doi:10.1186/s12886-019-1277-9Dick HB, Schultz T.A review of Laser-Assisted Versus Traditional Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery.Ophthalmol Ther. 2017;6(1):7-18. doi:10.1007/s40123-017-0080-zAgarwal K, Hatch K.Femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery: a review.Seminars in Ophthalmology. 2021;36(8):618-627. doi:10.1080/08820538.2021.1890792Uy HS, Shah S, Packer M.Comparison of Wound Sealability Between Femtosecond Laser-Constructed and Manual Clear Corneal Incisions in Patients Undergoing Cataract Surgery: A Pilot Study.J Refract Surg. 2017;33(11):744-748. doi:10.3928/1081597X-20170921-01Schweitzer C, Brezin A, Cochener B, et al.Femtosecond laser-assisted versus phacoemulsification cataract surgery (FEMCAT): a multicentre participant-masked randomised superiority and cost-effectiveness trial.Lancet. 2020;395(10219):212-224. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(19)32481-XPiao J, Joo CK.Site of clear corneal incision in cataract surgery and its effects on surgically induced astigmatism.Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):3955.doi:10.1038/s41598-020-60985-5American Academy of Ophthalmology.Adjustable IOL Could Help Some Ditch Their Glasses After Cataract Surgery.Dick HB, Conrad-Hengerer I, Schultz T.Intraindividual capsular bag shrinkage comparing standard and laser-assisted cataract surgery.J Refract Surg. 2014;30(4):228-233. doi:10.3928/1081597X-20140320-01Harvard Health Publishing.Are you at risk for a secondary cataract?
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Opthalmology.Traditional cataract surgery vs. laser-assisted cataract surgery.Shaheen MS, Abousamra A, Helaly HA, Said A, Elmassry A.Comparison between refractive outcomes of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery and standard phacoemulsification.BMC Ophthalmol. 2020;20(1):1. doi:10.1186/s12886-019-1277-9Dick HB, Schultz T.A review of Laser-Assisted Versus Traditional Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery.Ophthalmol Ther. 2017;6(1):7-18. doi:10.1007/s40123-017-0080-zAgarwal K, Hatch K.Femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery: a review.Seminars in Ophthalmology. 2021;36(8):618-627. doi:10.1080/08820538.2021.1890792Uy HS, Shah S, Packer M.Comparison of Wound Sealability Between Femtosecond Laser-Constructed and Manual Clear Corneal Incisions in Patients Undergoing Cataract Surgery: A Pilot Study.J Refract Surg. 2017;33(11):744-748. doi:10.3928/1081597X-20170921-01Schweitzer C, Brezin A, Cochener B, et al.Femtosecond laser-assisted versus phacoemulsification cataract surgery (FEMCAT): a multicentre participant-masked randomised superiority and cost-effectiveness trial.Lancet. 2020;395(10219):212-224. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(19)32481-XPiao J, Joo CK.Site of clear corneal incision in cataract surgery and its effects on surgically induced astigmatism.Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):3955.doi:10.1038/s41598-020-60985-5American Academy of Ophthalmology.Adjustable IOL Could Help Some Ditch Their Glasses After Cataract Surgery.Dick HB, Conrad-Hengerer I, Schultz T.Intraindividual capsular bag shrinkage comparing standard and laser-assisted cataract surgery.J Refract Surg. 2014;30(4):228-233. doi:10.3928/1081597X-20140320-01Harvard Health Publishing.Are you at risk for a secondary cataract?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Opthalmology.Traditional cataract surgery vs. laser-assisted cataract surgery.Shaheen MS, Abousamra A, Helaly HA, Said A, Elmassry A.Comparison between refractive outcomes of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery and standard phacoemulsification.BMC Ophthalmol. 2020;20(1):1. doi:10.1186/s12886-019-1277-9Dick HB, Schultz T.A review of Laser-Assisted Versus Traditional Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery.Ophthalmol Ther. 2017;6(1):7-18. doi:10.1007/s40123-017-0080-zAgarwal K, Hatch K.Femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery: a review.Seminars in Ophthalmology. 2021;36(8):618-627. doi:10.1080/08820538.2021.1890792Uy HS, Shah S, Packer M.Comparison of Wound Sealability Between Femtosecond Laser-Constructed and Manual Clear Corneal Incisions in Patients Undergoing Cataract Surgery: A Pilot Study.J Refract Surg. 2017;33(11):744-748. doi:10.3928/1081597X-20170921-01Schweitzer C, Brezin A, Cochener B, et al.Femtosecond laser-assisted versus phacoemulsification cataract surgery (FEMCAT): a multicentre participant-masked randomised superiority and cost-effectiveness trial.Lancet. 2020;395(10219):212-224. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(19)32481-XPiao J, Joo CK.Site of clear corneal incision in cataract surgery and its effects on surgically induced astigmatism.Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):3955.doi:10.1038/s41598-020-60985-5American Academy of Ophthalmology.Adjustable IOL Could Help Some Ditch Their Glasses After Cataract Surgery.Dick HB, Conrad-Hengerer I, Schultz T.Intraindividual capsular bag shrinkage comparing standard and laser-assisted cataract surgery.J Refract Surg. 2014;30(4):228-233. doi:10.3928/1081597X-20140320-01Harvard Health Publishing.Are you at risk for a secondary cataract?
American Academy of Opthalmology.Traditional cataract surgery vs. laser-assisted cataract surgery.
Shaheen MS, Abousamra A, Helaly HA, Said A, Elmassry A.Comparison between refractive outcomes of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery and standard phacoemulsification.BMC Ophthalmol. 2020;20(1):1. doi:10.1186/s12886-019-1277-9
Dick HB, Schultz T.A review of Laser-Assisted Versus Traditional Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery.Ophthalmol Ther. 2017;6(1):7-18. doi:10.1007/s40123-017-0080-z
Agarwal K, Hatch K.Femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery: a review.Seminars in Ophthalmology. 2021;36(8):618-627. doi:10.1080/08820538.2021.1890792
Uy HS, Shah S, Packer M.Comparison of Wound Sealability Between Femtosecond Laser-Constructed and Manual Clear Corneal Incisions in Patients Undergoing Cataract Surgery: A Pilot Study.J Refract Surg. 2017;33(11):744-748. doi:10.3928/1081597X-20170921-01
Schweitzer C, Brezin A, Cochener B, et al.Femtosecond laser-assisted versus phacoemulsification cataract surgery (FEMCAT): a multicentre participant-masked randomised superiority and cost-effectiveness trial.Lancet. 2020;395(10219):212-224. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(19)32481-X
Piao J, Joo CK.Site of clear corneal incision in cataract surgery and its effects on surgically induced astigmatism.Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):3955.doi:10.1038/s41598-020-60985-5
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Adjustable IOL Could Help Some Ditch Their Glasses After Cataract Surgery.
Dick HB, Conrad-Hengerer I, Schultz T.Intraindividual capsular bag shrinkage comparing standard and laser-assisted cataract surgery.J Refract Surg. 2014;30(4):228-233. doi:10.3928/1081597X-20140320-01
Harvard Health Publishing.Are you at risk for a secondary cataract?
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
