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The following article was written by Dr. Stephen Slade:

Do patients want laser cataract surgery?

In my career, I have learned always to pay attention to the patient’s perspective; what does he or she want? Especially in refractive surgery, it is usually the patients’ preferences that ultimately drive the market and steer what we do surgically. As an example, we surgeons were never able to show that LASIK produced significantly better final results than PRK, but because the healing was quicker and caused less discomfort, patients chose LASIK. I believe the same process will shape laser cataract surgery.

EXPERIENCE

My practice is located in Houston, and we havehad the LenSx laser (Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Fort Worth, TX) since February 2010—1 year as I write this article—in a commercial, office-based surgical center. My colleagues and I have studied the science of the technique, refined the hardware and software, and generally learned better how to use the device after several hundred cases. In addition, I have witnessed the patients’ experience with this laser, as the vast majority of them choose it for their surgery and pay more for it.

PATIENTS ACCEPT IT

One of the first things I noticed was how rapidly patients accepted laser cataract surgery. Immediately, I saw that this procedure needed less explaining, education, or counseling than any other new technology we have introduced into our clinic.

We surgeons can all remember the first time we used a new technology with our own patients—our first LASIK procedure, wavefront-guided ablation, presbyopia-correcting IOL, and so on. All new technologies require a different amount of education for the patient to be able to make an informed choice. Why is laser cataract surgery such an easy concept for them?

Safety and Outcomes

Patients want two things from eye surgery: safety and the best possible glasses-free vision as soon as possible. Laser cataract surgery helps to deliver both.

I believe femtosecond lasers offer important advantages over manual cataract surgery in terms of safety. My colleagues and I have shown that using that the laser to prechop the nucleus decreases phaco time, power and time in the eye, which reduces endothelial cell loss. Comparing my laser cases’ endothelial cell counts to those from published series after traditional manual cataract procedures, I can show a lower rate of loss with the laser. This could mean better, quicker results and fewer complications.

Advantages in Difficult Cases

Femtosecond lasers may have advantages for difficult cases as well, including cases of compromised zonules, traumatic cataracts, and pseudoexfoliation. With the laser, we do not have to stress the zonules when making the capsulorhexis or chopping the nucleus, which could mean fewer dislocated lenses and dropped nuclei. The laser also helps with white cataracts, dislocated lenses, and fibrous capsules. We are better able to optimize the dimensions and construction of the cataract incision and do it time after time with the laser. This will lead to fewer wound leaks and improved lens stability. Better wounds could actually lower infection rates and induced astigmatism, resulting in fewer secondary procedures with their associated risks.

CONTROL AND STANDARDIZATION

In my colleagues and my experience, controlling and standardizing the size and centration of the capsulorhexis with a femtosecond laser increases the accuracy of the spherical component of the IOL. The capsular contraction is more uniform, so the IOL’s effective lens position is less variable. We have also achieved excellent results when using the laser to treat astigmatism at the time of cataract surgery. Thus, laser cataract surgery contributes to a higher rate of glasses-free postoperative vision sooner after surgery. Of course, if the lens is more accurately positioned, fewer IOLs will require exchange, and fewer secondary procedures like LASIK or PRK will be necessary, which increases safety for the patient.

CONCLUSION

In our clinic, patients are choosing, and paying for, the greater safety and efficacy of laser cataract surgery. I have never seen patients accept a new technology so quickly. Quite simply, patients readily understand the added value of femtosecond laser.

Stephen G. Slade, MD, is a surgeon at Slade and Baker Vision in Houston. He serves as the medical director for LenSx Lasers Inc.

Beverly Hills LASIK – Top eye surgeon in Los Angeles LASIK eye surgery specialist, using only the best LASIK surgery technology that aims for your best possible vision.

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At Seibel Vision, we want to make sure you are completely comfortable and fully prepared on the day of your LASIK surgery. Providing the best quality LASIK eye surgery to residents of the Beverly Hills areas, your experienced LASIK surgeon Dr. Seibel will take the time necessary to guide you through the LASIK surgical process and address all of your questions and concerns. Understanding your LASIK process, as well as its benefits and risks, while maintaining realistic expectations, will result in your most positive LASIK experience and the best possible outcome for your vision.

What to Expect on the Day of LASIK Surgery

Below is some information about what you can expect on the day of your LASIK surgery.

Before Surgery

On the day of your LASIK surgery, please arrive at our practice at least one hour before the scheduled procedure. It is vital to bring a designated driver with you, as you will be physically unable to drive home after the procedure. You will be given a sedative to help you relax while being prepared for surgery. The area around your eyes will be cleaned and anesthetic drops will be administered to help numb your eyes. After your eyes are completely numbed, an eyelid holder will be put into place to prevent you from blinking during the LASIK procedure.

During Surgery

During the LASIK procedure, your eye surgeon will make a flap on the cornea using either a microkeratome blade or, in a Blade-free LASIK procedure, with an IntraLase laser. After the flap is created and pulled back, you will be asked to focus on a light while an excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea. The entire process takes less than two minutes. After the cornea is reshaped, the corneal flap is repositioned. The flap will bond to the eye in a matter of seconds — without the use of stitches.

After Surgery

When your LASIK procedure is complete, your eye surgeon will examine your eyes through a microscope. Additional eye drops will be administered and a shield is placed over your eyes for protection. Plan to relax for the remainder of the day.  Ideally, go home and take a nap for several hours.  Your eyes may be sensitive to light.  You may experience swelling, watering, and general eye discomfort, which may be alleviated with over-the-counter pain medication. You will need to return to our office for a follow-up examination the day after LASIK surgery. After the follow-up exam, most patients are able to resume their normal activities. LASIK Beverly Hills.

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For People Considering LASIK:

Dr. Barry Seibel recognizes that you probably know people who’ve already had LASIK eye surgery. You may have heard the stories about their “amazing moment” – when they experienced a sudden, dramatic improvement in their vision right after the LASIK procedure. Of course, Dr. Seibel would love to see you have that amazing moment too, because he has seen it in thousands of happy patients, each one achieving dramatic improvement in vision through LASIK eye surgery.

Dr. Barry Seibel understands that if you’ve worn glasses or contact lenses for years, you’re aware of the frustrations of limited vision and might be considering LASIK right now. Without a doubt, LASIK is one of the most popular elective surgeries in our country. Dr. Seibel is delighted to say that not only do his patients enjoy daily activities without the usual hassle from glasses and contact lenses, they love the overall freedom LASIK offers.

Dr. Barry Seibel feels that your decision to undergo a LASIK procedure is an important one. Be sure that the doctor who performs your LASIK has the right qualifications and has the experience necessary to perform your procedure successfully. Dr. Seibel has performed over 60,000 refractive procedures. He has the training, experience, and qualifications that are vital when considering the life-changing experience that LASIK offers.

When you are ready for to find out more about LASIK, Dr. Barry Seibel invites you to arrange for your FREE CONSULTATION! Visit Dr. Seibel’s website: LASIK Beverly Hills

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Dr. Barry Seibel feels it is of vital importance for his patients to be well acquainted with the LASIK eye surgery procedure and its alternatives in order to make an informed decision regarding the future of their vision.

Custom LASIK: Dr. Barry Seibel explains that is also referred to as Wavefront LASIK and involves the measurement of a person’s ability to focus and process images. If irregularities exist, the Wavefront LASIK is customized according to the findings produced and involve the reshaping of the eye’s corneal surface. Dr. Seibel has embraced this type of procedure as a real breakthrough with the ability to provide patients with better overall vision quality than what was available to them in the past.

Bladeless LASIK: Dr. Barry Seibel explains this relatively new technique that relies on laser energy rather than the use of a cutting instrument (microkeratome), and is well known as Intralase. Dr. Seibel feels that Intralase has been a boon for patients once regarded as not candidates for LASIK. Patients with thin corneas considered unsuitable for LASIK treatment, may be considered as candidates for Intralase.

Epi-LASIK: Dr. Barry Seibel explains Epi-LASIK as a cross between LASIK and LASEK. LASIK involves the cutting of a flap in the cornea while LASEK involves cutting a thin sheet on the corneas outer layer. Dr. Seibel feels that this procedure certainly isn’t suitable for everyone who needs eye surgery and patients need to accept the slightly longer recovery time. However, he recommends Epi-LASIK for people with thin corneas.

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK): While PRK is not prescribed often since the advent of LASIK, Dr. Barry Seibel keeps it in his practice as possibly suitable for patients with thin corneas. PRK is an extremely short eye procedure and while many patients have been able to resume normal work duties a day after surgery.

LASEK: Dr. Barry Seibel finds that LASEK can be a great option for people with thin corneas or corneas that would not normally be suitable to undergo LASIK treatment. A finer blade is used to cut the outer layer of the cornea as opposed to the thicker LASIK blade and complications are less likely.

To find out how the marvels of modern medicine may advance your ability to see and function in a world of great beauty, call our office for your free LASIK consultation.

Visit Dr. Seibel’s website: Laser Eye Surgery LASIK Beverly Hills, California

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