Some opinions is one better then other & why... no cost considerations.
Just my opinion but if you are opting to have it done with laser ensure your surgeon has had plenty of experience.
The cut required in the cornea for the cataract surgery can be made a lot better with the laser, so my preference will be to have it done with that. (that is the way it was done for my cataract surgery)
THANKS FOR YOUR REPLIES
I am also trying to decide this for my own cataract surgery in the near future.
There seems to be a big disagreement in opinion on the value of femtolaser assisted cataract surgery vs conventional (blade).
Eye surgeons who don't use the femtolaser seem to be of the opinion it hasn't been proved it is better in any way, though it adds significant cost.
However doctors that use femtolaser particularly with premium IOLs seem convinced its better citing smaller incision used (faster healing) and less trauma produced in the process of breaking up the old natural lens.
I believe its possible that a very skillfull experienced eye surgeon can do well with convential (blade) cataract surgery, and one well experienced with the femtolaser assisted surgery can also do well. So experience in both is the key along with good experience on the particular premium IOL to be used.
Separate from femtolaser, there is also the ORA equipment that can allow the surgeon do measure the refractive result in realtime during the surgery and then be able to make adjustments then (like rotate a toric IOL) instead of having to wait weeks after surgery to evaluate where it ended up. So it seems to me having the ORA equipment is important as well.
On the eye clinics and surgeons I'm current getting consultations with, one has both femtolaser and ORA with premium IOLs (they have all the most hi tech equipment), another has ORA but no femtolaser but their surgeons have top ratings, experience and also are professors at the university the clinic is attached to - patients come from all over the country to see them (but could be for other reasons than cataract surgery). So I have to choose between them.
Night-Hawk very interested in your comparisons of the proceedures. I have an excellent convensional surgeon, & am deciding between 4 highly regarded Laser surgeons. I am located North Jersey/NYC area. If you happen to be in my area we can compare research. Not sure if this forum allows private messages?
Dennis yes you can use envelope to right of persons name to send private messages.
Sue... Thanks
I am in southern California.
I am also comparing price for the surgery + premium IOL and premium package some clinics charge, seems to vary a lot across the country.
The first eye clinic with great reviews and recommendations that I had my first consultation at would cost over $4000/eye for a premium IOL (like a toric) with their premium package that includes no extra cost followup for a year and no extra cost laser touchups if needed. That cost is in addition to the basic surgery/iol cost that is covered by insurance and medicare (10-20% coinsurance typically), though the facility fee and anethesia cost can vary.
A few minor comments regarding the use of ORA equipment during the IOL installation:
1. The use of ORA is often not covered by insurance and may require an extra payment (about US$700 per eye in our area).
2. Even though the adjustment can be made to the best lens position at the time of the surgery, the IOL often rotates after the surgery. Also, there are some vision changes due to the cornea changes after the surgery. So, you may still need to have LASIK enhancement (or a similar procedure) after the vision stabilizes to achieve the best vision.
3. If you are wearing contact lenses, please make sure that you stop wearing those about a week before the cataract surgery to let the cornea stabilize, so that ORA can do the best job at the time of surgery (this is similar to stopping wearing contact lenses for about a week before the cornea measurements to determine the best IOL prescription.