Discover the cataract treatment options available, and come talk with Dr. Besser to discover which one is best for you.
Cataract Treatment Options
A cataract treatment consists of the surgical removal of the cloudy lens and the implantation of a clear intraocular lens. Dr. Besser specializes in Femtosecond Laser-assisted cataract eye surgery using two new state-of-the-art laser systems, the LenSx® Laser and Catalys®.
Both cataract treatment platforms are based on laser systems and integrate the ultrashort-pulse Femtosecond Laser with 3D optical coherence tomography. With expert surgical skill, Dr. Besser performs sutureless cataract microsurgery using the laser to create a small and precise incision that seals without stitches.
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
An OCT is a non-invasive cataract technology that scans and maps the eye’s structures, allowing cataract incisions and lens disassembly to be customized to the size and shape of each patient’s eye.
Using low coherence light to capture micrometer resolution, Optical Coherence Tomography doesn’t employ X-rays, doesn’t hurt, and is not uncomfortable for the patient. After this technology is used to scan the patient’s eye, the resulting imaging can be used to program the Femtosecond Laser.
Femtosecond Laser
The Femtosecond Laser has been used for the treatment of cataracts since 2010, and has proven to produce refined and predictable results. This type of laser allows the cornea, lens capsule, and crystalline lens to be cut at exceptionally precise depths and in complex patterns. During the cataract treatment, the Femtosecond Laser uses low energy to soften the cataract, allowing its gentle removal.
Compared to other cataract treatment options, such as traditional phacoemulsification, it requires less phacoemulsification energy and time applied, which leads to reduced corneal edema - and quicker recovery.
How Are Replacement Lenses Used In Cataract Treatment?
During the treatment following cataract removal, Dr. Besser implants the best intraocular lens (IOL) for each patient, including lenses that correct common refractive eye conditions such as:
- Myopia (nearsightedness): clear vision of close-up objects, blurry vision at a distance
- Hyperopia (farsightedness): clear vision of distant objects, difficulty seeing nearby objects
- Presbyopia: develops with age, ability to focus up close becomes difficult
- Astigmatism: near and distant images appear blurry and distorted
