“Is cataract surgery done with a laser?” is one of the commonest questions asked of the doctors at Chicago Cornea Consultants™. Until recently, the answer was “no.” For decades, cataract surgery was performed utilizing an operating microscope for visualization, microsurgical instruments for the creation of incisions and the capsular opening, and ultrasound aspiration of the cataractous lens nucleus (phacoemulsification), followed by implantation of a clear artificial lens (IOL). Over the past several years, however, lasers have gained a place in the procedure as dozens of leading surgeons around the world have been incorporating them for certain steps of the surgery. Chicago Cornea Consultants™’s own Dr. Randy Epstein is about to join this elite group. “Think of a laser as the most precise and exact knife possible,” he says. “Lasers can be used in place of metal hand-held blades to create a more exact limbal relaxing incision, clear corneal wound, and capsulorrhexis. The laser can also prepare and loosen up the lens nucleus for phacoemulsification. The use of a laser for theses steps increases accuracy and safety.” With the most sophisticated IOLs, near and far sightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia can be corrected, making possible excellent, glasses-independent vision at all distances. With laser assistance, the ultimate result is more efficient surgery, faster recovery, and better sight.
Laser assisted cataract surgery will initially be available with Dr. Epstein at Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Lincoln Park. All of Chicago Cornea Consultants™s’ doctors hope to be offering this option in other locations in the near future.
For more information, please contact our surgical coordinators at (847) 432 6010.
To learn more about cataract surgery and the Alcon LenSx laser, please visit http://lensxlasers.com/the-lensx-laser-difference.asp.
