Is cataract surgery done with a laser? This is one of the most common questions asked by patients when they are being counselled. The current answer to this question is no, but this may become a thing of the past. The future of cataract surgery is laser assisted cataract surgery. This technique is many years away in it’s application, but it’s use is the next logical step in refractive cataract surgery. Current procedures occasionally involve a LASIK enhancement post surgery to meet refractive goals, this is considered an additional step during surgery. The idea to include a laser in the incision aspect of the surgery would allow for the consolidation of multiple surgeries. Additionally, according to Stephen G. Slade, M.D. “the biggest benefits of the technology are improved safety and efficiency, reduced phacoemulsification time, and reduced endothelial cell loss”.
Cataract surgery is a rapidly changing entity, and the use of a laser during surgery will be a fantastic addition. We all will await it’s emergence as a gold standard of refractive cataract surgery with open arms.