A cataract
is an eye condition wherein the lens turns cloudy, blurring the
patient’s vision. More than 20 million people in the United States
ages 40 and above suffer from cataracts. As people age, the
likelihood of developing a cataract increases. An estimated 50
million people will be affected by the condition by the year 2050.
Going under the
knife
Almost all cataract
surgeries are still done via scalpel despite the proven effectiveness
and accuracy of laser surgery. This is due mainly to the cost of the
procedure, which Medicare doesn’t cover in many cases.
How it’s done
A small opening is cut
around the cloudy portion of the lens. A vibrating ultrasound needle
is then inserted to break up the cloudy mass which can be removed in
small pieces, after which an IOL or intraocular lens is implanted to
cover the opening.
On the other hand, a
laser will make a clean opening and soften the cloudy tissue; this
negates the need to use ultrasound applications to break down the
mass.
The results speak
for themselves
Any eye
doctor will swear by this procedure, adding that
patients enjoy clearer vision as early as the day right after the
operation. Clearly, laser surgery is a boon to the medical field and
shouldn’t be excluded as an option simply because it costs more.
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