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Laser Cataract Surgery
More than 90% of people develop cataracts by the age of 651, but the cataract procedure can be personalized to your unique eye.
Click below to watch the pre-op patient video:
Procedure Options
Inside your eye, there is a natural lens that can gradually become yellow and cloudy. This natural clouding is called a cataract, and it’s very common. Your natural lens will be removed and replaced with a small, soft artificial lens to help you see clearly.
Cataract surgery is a successful, common outpatient procedure. When you come in for your consult, we will help you choose between two options: manual or laser-assisted.
- Manual
In a basic procedure, incisions are performed with a blade. They are placed based on measurements of your eye.
- Laser
CATALYS® Precision Laser System procedures offer better accuracy. They allow us to account for every detail by using measurements to create a 3-D blueprint of your eye. Incisions are performed precisely with a laser.
Step by Step
The Laser Difference
We want to make sure your cataract surgery is right for you. No matter which method you choose, our goal is to give you clear, cataract-free vision.
Laser cataract surgery with the CATALYS® Precision Laser System is a gentle process that’s planned precisely to your unique eye.
To learn more, ask us about your cataract surgery options at your next visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a cataract procedure performed?
A routine cataract procedure includes three basic steps:
- Making a few small incisions to access your cataract 2. Removing the cataract by gently breaking it into smaller pieces 3. Implanting your new intraocular lens (IOL) so you can see clearly
We can perform your procedure in one of two ways, manually or with a laser. No matter which procedure you choose, our goal is clear, cataract-free vision, but the experience will be a bit different.
What is the CATALYS® Precision Laser System?
The CATALYS® System is a surgical laser designed specifically for cataract surgery, making it gentle enough to work on the delicate structures in your eye. This allows us to plan and perform a highly precise, personalized cataract extraction.
What’s the difference between a CATALYS® System and manual procedure?
In a manual procedure, we make all the incisions by hand using a blade. They are planned using measurements of your eye, which will be taken beforehand.
With the CATALYS® System, we create a 3-D blueprint of your eye to provide detailed guidance through the procedure. It allows us to work precisely, without relying on a blade.
In both options, your cataract is removed using a separate machine called a phacoemulsification system. But with the laser option, we can first pre-cut the cataract into tiny pieces for easy separation and removal.
The CATALYS® System makes the preparation and procedure simple for you. It can also minimize the redness and inflammation3,4 typically seen after surgery.
What are the benefits of having my cataracts treated with the CATALYS® System?
There are several benefits to choosing a CATALYS® System procedure:
- Personalization: Your procedure is based on a blueprint of your unique eye
- Precise: Tracks your eye throughout the procedure to account for every detail
- Simple: Easy preparation and procedure
- Gentle: Minimal inflammation and redness after the procedure3,4
- Proven: FDA-cleared since 20115
How does the CATALYS® System make the procedure more personalized?
Each CATALYS® System procedure is customized to each patient. Before making any incisions, the system maps your eye, creating a 3-D blueprint that’s unique to you. Then, we use the blueprint to design a procedure that’s just for your eye.
FOOTNOTES
*In both methods, lens particles are removed using a separate machine called a phacoemulsification system.
REFERENCES 1. Cataract. University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center Web site. http://www.kellogg.umich.edu/patientcare/conditions/cataract.html. Accessed October 28, 2017. 2. National Eye Institute. Facts About Cataracts. National Eye Institute (NEI) Web site. https://nei.nih.gov/health/cataract/cataract_facts. Updated September 2015. Accessed October 28, 2017. 3. Talamo J, et al. Optical patient interface in femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery. J Cataract and Refract Surg.2013;39(4):501-510. 4. Conrad-Hengerer et al., Corneal endothelial cell loss and corneal thickness in conventional compared with femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery: three-month follow-up. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2013;39(9):1307-13. 5. License No.: 91604. CATALYS® Precision Laser System Device Licensing. OptiMedica® Corporation. Government of Canada. 8 July 2013.
INDICATIONS AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR THE CATALYS® PRECISION LASER SYSTEM
CAUTION: Federal law (USA) restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician. The system should be used only by qualified physicians who have extensive knowledge of the use of this device and have been trained and certified. ATTENTION: Reference the labeling for a complete listing of Important Indications and Safety Information. INDICATIONS: The CATALYS® Precision Laser System is indicated for use in patients undergoing cataract surgery for removal of the crystalline lens. Intended uses in cataract surgery include anterior capsulotomy, photofragmentation, and the creation of single plane and multi- plane arc cuts/incisions in the cornea, each of which may be performed either individually or consecutively during the same procedure. CONTRAINDICATIONS: The CATALYS® Precision Laser System should not be used if you are not a candidate for cataract surgery, have certain pre-existing corneal problems or eye implants; or if you are younger than 22 years of age. Tell your doctor about any eye- related conditions, injuries, or surgeries. PRECAUTIONS: Patients must be able to lie flat on their backs and motionless during the procedure. Patients must be able to tolerate local or topical anesthesia. Tell your doctor if you are taking any medications such as alpha blockers (like Flomax® to treat an enlarged prostate) as these medications may affect how the doctor does the cataract surgery. ADVERSE EFFECTS: Complications associated with the CATALYS® System include mild broken blood vessels or redness on the white part of your eye, which may last for a few weeks. Other potential risks associated with cataract surgery may occur. These risks may include but are not limited to corneal swelling and/or abrasion, lens capsular tear, infection, inflammation, eye discomfort, reduced vision. Talk to your doctor regarding all the potential risks associated with these procedures.
