Laser Eye Surgery for Cataract: Your Complete Guide to Costs, Benefits, and Recovery

What Are Cataracts?

The human eye enables you to see the world. Vision indeed allows you to perceive and interpret the whole world around you. While it's a complex sensory organ, the mechanism that it uses seems amazing! The cornea, lens, and pupil work together to gather light, similar to how a camera works. They focus this light onto the retina, which acts as a film or sensor and converts light into electrical signals. This is how we see objects clearly, with the finest details on the texture, depth, color, size, and shape! 

What if we say that some problems with the eye can disrupt this process? 

Cataracts remain as the most common cause of blindness worldwide today. They are the clouding of the natural eye lens or the transparent membrane enclosing it, causing faded or blurry eyesight. The natural proteins within the natural eyelens break down, settling down as cloudy portions. While cataracts are more prevalent among seniors, infants and youngsters aren’t an exception. Cataracts can affect one or both eyes with varying severity. 

It's crucial to understand that cataracts do not develop overnight. Candidates see blurry vision during the early stages. And, this does not have a bigger impact on the normal lifestyle. However, cataracts rob the simple happiness of life as the lens gets completely opaque over time. And the worst part? No medication can reverse the process. Prescription glasses can only be a temporary solution on a very short-term basis. Cataract eye surgery is the only proven, successful method to steer clear of the issues caused by a cloudy eye lens.^[1] 

Cataract Eye Surgery: A Brief

Eye surgeons remove the dense, cloudy cataract and replace it with an artificial intraocular lens. Typically, they make tiny incisions in the cornea, the front portion of the eye, and use ultrasound waves to break the cloudy lens. The broken lens pieces are removed from the eye using suction, and a clear artificial lens is placed to restore normal eye functioning. While traditional cataract surgery has long been effective, recent technological breakthroughs have led to the rise of more advanced laser techniques. And if you ask us, can laser surgery remove cataracts, the answer is a straight yes! Laser cataract surgery, in fact, offers a highly effective and precise solution for treating cataracts, thanks to cutting-edge technology. 

An Introduction to Laser Eye Surgery and Cataracts

Unlike traditional methods that utilize surgical blades for incisions, laser-assisted cataract surgeries offer greater precision and accuracy. It uses lasers to remove the cloudy eyelens, which is followed by placing an artificial lens. If you are concerned about the procedure, rest assured, as we have briefed you on it below.

Laser Eye Surgery for Cataract Procedure

A camera and an ultrasound device capture a 3-D image of the eye. This program is sent to a computer to set up lasers for making incisions in order to access the interior portions of the problematic eye. The pre-programmed femtosecond lasers make tiny incisions in the cornea and the lens capsule. The lasers further soften the dense eye lens, which is further broken down into pieces using ultrasound waves. These lens pieces are removed through suction, and an intraocular lens is placed to restore vision. While advanced lasers replace the other surgical features carried by manual equipment, eye surgeons are specially trained to guide the lasers and perform the procedure. 

How Long Does Laser Cataract Surgery Take?

The entire laser cataract removal process takes 1-4 hours, with the actual procedure for removing cataracts and placing artificial lenses requiring 15-30 minutes per eye. The extra time amounts to obtaining 3-D images of the eye, including the incision making, along with other preparatory procedures like numbing your eyes using eye drops and post-surgery procedures like putting on the bandage.   

Is Laser Cataract Surgery Painful?

You don’t feel much pain during laser cataract eye surgery, as your eyes will be numbed using eye drops before the procedure. While you stay awake during the procedure, you may feel a slight pressure in your eye, which is typically not very uncomfortable. 

Does Laser Cataract Surgery Heal Faster?

Yes, of course, you will heal faster after laser cataract surgery than after the traditional method. In fact, this sets the laser method apart from the standard method. While you may feel slight discomfort post-procedure, this ideally resolves with effective aftercare and the usage of eye drops. Most candidates see clearly within a week and resume normal activities. 

How Is Recovery After Laser Cataract Eye Surgery?

The initial recovery after laser cataract surgery takes around 24-48 hours. However, your eye needs a few months to adjust to the new lens.  Start the routine activities in a couple of days and resume work after a week. A few hours after the laser cataract surgery, you will feel slight discomfort and itching. Use eye drops and painkillers, and these symptoms will gradually subside. You will feel normal while taking a few precautions. Below, we detail some aftercare steps to help you feel better and smooth your recovery.

• Do not rub your eyes or apply pressure until you have completely recovered. Wear a protective eye shield for one week after the procedure. 
• Protect your eyes from sun-related eye damage by wearing sunglasses. 
• Avoid cosmetics during the initial weeks, and be careful while using shampoos. Refrain from using hot water tubs, showers, and swimming pools. 
• Attend the scheduled follow-up sessions and do not neglect routine eye check-ups. 
• Refrain from self-driving until your ophthalmologist confirms vision clarity.

Laser Cataract Surgery Side Effects

The risks and side effects of cataract removal through the laser method are typically lower than those of the traditional method. A few temporary side effects after laser cataract eye surgery are immediate and subside as you pass through the initial recovery phase. These include itching, redness, swelling, and mild discomfort with light sensitivity, glare, halos, and blurry vision. Very rarely, laser cataract surgery causes serious side effects like infection, retinal detachment, IOL displacement, and nerve damage. These can be avoided by approaching the right ophthalmologist who can perform the procedure correctly and getting it done for the right candidate. 

Discussing Candidacy for Laser Cataract Eye Surgery

Laser cataract surgeries are for candidates who typically qualify for cataract eye surgery. Patients who see blurry or foggy vision due to a white, cloudy mass of cataract in one or both eyes are suitable for surgery. Those suffering from impaired vision and facing difficulty dealing with their daily activities can immediately opt for cataract eye surgery. However, laser cataract eye surgery may not be your choice in certain eye and overall body conditions. 

Who Should Not Have Laser Cataract Surgery?

Ophthalmologists do not recommend laser-assisted cataract eye surgeries in the following conditions. 

• Corneal scarring: Moderate and severe scarring in the cornea may distort the lasers, affecting their performance and, finally, the treatment outcomes. 
• Advanced macular degeneration: Laser cataract surgery cannot offer permanent results since the underlying issue is the central vision area, in addition to the cloudy lens. 
• Corneal infection: An infected cornea cannot heal well, and lasers' action can only worsen the symptoms without optimal results.
• Corneal ulcers or their history: Candidates with completely healed corneal ulcers can undergo laser cataract surgery. However, those with an ongoing condition or a cornea that has suffered thinning, scarring, or irregularities due to previous ulcers cannot expect successful results.
• Autoimmune disorders: Certain cells in the body act against the immune system in autoimmune conditions such as Lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. While lasers are relatively safe, getting laser cataract eye surgery can still complicate the healing process, affecting the recovery and outcomes.  

Do you think you might be a candidate? Don’t leave your vision to guesswork. Let Envoy Health match you with expert eye surgeons who can evaluate your eyes, explain your options, and guide you toward the best choice with no pressure, just clarity. Sign up now, and your initial consultation is free. Your eyes deserve the best care, and you get it with us!

Laser Cataract Surgery vs Regular Cataract Surgery

Both laser eye surgery for cataracts and traditional cataract eye surgeries remove cloudy, dense cataracts and aim for clear vision in patients. However, the core difference lies in the surgical technique.

Laser cataract eye surgeries use 3-D tomography corneal mapping and a computer-guided laser to make incisions. Experts say this computer-guided approach offers better precision in making incisions and creating a circular lens opening for capsule removal. Further, the method initially uses advanced ultrasound waves to soften the cloudy mass. The softened lens is broken down using ultrasound waves, which are relatively low-energy waves compared to the traditional method. This reduces the chances of side effects that are indeed caused by the traditional method. This is the major difference between phaco and laser cataract surgery. Regular cataract surgery, on the other hand, relies on manual incision techniques using a steel or diamond keratome. Although these surgical incisions are made for self-healing purposes, eliminating the need for sutures, there are still chances of human error. Furthermore, this technique uses ultrasound waves to break down the cloudy eye lens. While these are relatively strong when compared to the laser method, in some cases, they cause minor side effects like corneal swelling. We differentiated them in the table below.

Laser cataract surgery vs blade  

Cost of Laser Cataract Eye Surgery and a Brief on Insurance Coverage

A laser-assisted cataract eye surgery costs between $4,000 and $6,000 per eye, while the traditional method ranges between $3,000 and $5,000 per eye. The laser technique for cataract removal indeed offers more advantages compared to the traditional manual method, from greater precision to faster healing times. However, with cutting-edge technology usually comes a higher price tag. The increased cost reflects the enhanced precision, improved outcomes, and quicker recovery that laser technology can provide. 

Furthermore, the laser method for cataract removal is not completely covered by all insurance providers. They partially cover it as part of an elective upgrade. This is because the traditional method isn’t obsolete and still effective. Insurance providers mark the laser approach as a premium method and offer the baseline costs. You will have to pay some amount out of pocket, even if you plan it through insurance. But is the added investment really worth it? Keep reading for a closer look at the true value of laser cataract surgery.

Is Laser Cataract Surgery Worth the Cost?

To understand the worth of the choice, we recommend that you know the pros and cons of laser cataract surgery and weigh them against your individual goals and circumstances. So, let’s begin understanding the worth of laser cataract eye surgery with a brief overview of its benefits.

What Are the Laser Cataract Surgery Benefits?

Laser cataract eye surgery is a simpler procedure with lower tissue damage, which results in a quicker and smoother recovery. Here is the bucket of positives that laser cataract eye surgery offers.

• Potential for enhanced vision correction: Laser cataract eye surgery offers a customized vision correction approach with better and guaranteed outcomes. Unlike regular cataract surgery, it can also reduce dependency on glasses in cases of astigmatism.
• Precision and accuracy: The method ensures precision and accuracy by using pre-set lasers that rely on the structural data of the eye captured through cameras and ultrasound devices, reducing the chances of human errors.   
• Lowest trauma to the cornea: This technique reduces dependence on strong ultrasound energy, so your cornea does not face extreme trauma during the procedure. Lesser trauma means fewer side effects after the laser cataract procedure. 
• Simple procedure, better recovery: The reliance on lasers minimizes human interference and the manual work of making corneal incisions with lesser tissue disruption, leaving incisions that can self-heal easily. The whole procedure consumes only 15-30 minutes per eye, after which you can get back home and recover. 

What Are the Disadvantages of Laser Cataract Surgery?

Every procedure in healthcare has pros and cons. We detailed the disadvantages of laser cataract eye surgery below.

• High cost: The high cost can be the primary disadvantage of laser cataract eye surgery, and the use of cutting-edge technology naturally drives up the overall cost.^[2] Eye clinics factor in the expenses of equipment maintenance, advanced lens options, and other associated fees, making laser cataract surgery more expensive than the traditional method.
• Meticulous choice: You cannot expect laser cataract surgery at every surgical eye facility. While some clinics still rely on the standard method, you need to be cautious when choosing a clinic and eye surgeon. 

Now that you know the pros and cons of laser cataract surgery, it's important to note that not every patient needs to choose the most advanced or latest surgical option. The decision often depends on the individual's needs, preferences, and eye health. We detailed the key points to consider while choosing between standard and laser methods for cataract treatment.  

• Eye conditions: The laser cataract method is proven to offer success for issues such as slight corneal scarring and dense cataracts. Further, the method promises enhanced vision correction for candidates with astigmatism. So, if you are looking for astigmatism treatment or other eye conditions that may not be better relieved with regular methods, laser cataract eye surgery can be your surgical option. 
• Budget expectations: Laser cataract eye surgery is a relatively expensive procedure, but suppose you are looking for something with specific budget expectations, it may not be your option. Choosing regular cataract surgery can save your pocket from burning.   
• Insurance coverage: While standard cataract surgery is covered by insurance, many insurers offer partial coverage for laser cataract surgery with a policy upgrade. Insurance providers often see laser cataracts as a premium option with enhanced precision, and not just as a medical requirement. So they offer a baseline coverage while you need to spend some extra out-of-pocket expenses. You need to discuss this with the eye surgeon and your insurance provider in order to make the right decision.  
• Surgeon’s expertise: While laser cataract is spoken of as an automated approach using pre-set lasers, the surgeon’s expertise truly matters. Treatment planning, precision settings, and real-time decision-making directly relate to success. An experienced surgeon with a good skill set and a proven track record can offer you promising results.  

Success Rate of Laser Cataract Surgery

While not many specific research studies discuss the success rate of laser cataract eye surgery, the method offers safe and effective results that are no less than those of standard cataract surgery. And its success rate is 98-99%. Moreover, laser removal of cataracts has been proven to be a safe method with good precision and accuracy. The method has a good patient satisfaction rate and is highly chosen depending on the patient's needs. 

Final Word! 

Laser eye surgery for cataracts is a quick, minimally invasive procedure that delivers impressive outcomes, from faster healing to sharper vision. While it comes at a higher cost than the traditional method, many patients find the added precision and comfort well worth the investment.

Are you thinking about upgrading your vision with confidence? Sign up with Envoy Health. We connect you with trusted ophthalmologists and top-rated clinics. And if you're unsure, we even help you get a second consultation for peace of mind. Your journey for a crystal clear vision is just a click away. 

References

1. Cataract 
2. The benefits and drawbacks of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery