Innovations in Cataract Treatment: What’s New and
What’s Next
Traditional Cataract Surgery: A Proven Standard
Conventional cataract surgery, known as phacoemulsification, has been the gold standard for decades. In this technique:
● A small incision is made manually in the cornea.
● The surgeon uses a handheld instrument to create an opening in the lens capsule.
● A probe emitting ultrasound waves is inserted through the incision and into the natural
lens of the eye. These waves break the cloudy lens into tiny fragments which are then suctioned out of the eye.
● An artificial lens (IOL) is inserted into the empty lens capsule to replace the natural lens.
Phacoemulsification remains a highly effective and trusted cataract surgery technique,
performed millions of times each year with excellent outcomes. Dr. Mosaddegh performs this method regularly, but like all manual procedures, certain steps—such as creating corneal incisions or opening the lens capsule—can vary slightly from case to case.
The Rise of Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS)
Femtosecond laser technology—originally developed for LASIK—has now been adapted for cataract surgery. In FLACS, a laser is used to automate some of the most critical and delicate steps of the procedure.
Key advantages of FLACS include:
● Greater Precision:
The laser can create corneal incisions, capsulotomies (openings in the lens capsule), and lens fragmentation with sub-micron accuracy. This reduces the potential for human error.
● Improved Safety:
Laser fragmentation divides the cataract before removal, often reducing the amount of ultrasound energy needed. This may lead to less inflammation and a lower risk of complications.
● Better Visual Outcomes:
A perfectly centered and precisely sized capsulotomy can improve IOL positioning, which can enhance visual clarity—especially important with premium lenses (like multifocal or toric IOLs).
● More Predictable Astigmatism Correction:
The laser can be used to perform limbal relaxing incisions to correct low levels of astigmatism with greater accuracy than manual methods.
The Role of ORA in Enhancing Surgical Precision
ORA (Optiwave Refractive Analysis) adds another layer of precision during surgery by
providing real-time, in-eye measurements of your eye’s optical power after the cataract is
removed—but before the new lens is locked in place.
Using ORA, Dr. Mosaddegh can make fine-tuned adjustments to the lens power and
alignment to better match your unique visual needs—especially helpful for patients with
previous refractive surgery (like LASIK) or those selecting premium IOLs
Benefits of ORA include:
● Fine tuning lens power
● More accurate astigmatism correction
Together with FLACS, ORA helps create a truly customized and data-driven surgical
experience.
What’s Next in Cataract Treatment?
The future of cataract surgery is centered around even greater personalization and visual
freedom. Some of the most exciting advancements include:
● Multifocal lenses that go beyond standard monofocal implants, offering sharper
distance, intermediate, and near vision—reducing or eliminating the need for glasses.
● Light Adjustable Lenses that can be fine-tuned after surgery, allowing patients to
customize their vision once the eye has healed.
● Extended depth-of-focus (EDOF) lenses and advanced multifocal technologies that
offer a broader range of clear vision with fewer visual disturbances.
● Continued improvements in laser-assisted surgery and real-time intraoperative
tools like ORA, which help optimize lens placement and outcomes.
Cataract surgery is no longer just about removing a cloudy lens—it’s about restoring your vision with precision, comfort, and long-term clarity. Hence, it is referred to as refractive cataract surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
FLACS uses ultra-precise laser technology to automate key steps of cataract surgery, such as creating corneal incisions, opening the lens capsule, and fragmenting the cataract. This approach enhances surgical precision and may lead to quicker recovery times and improved visual outcomes.
The ORA (Optiwave Refractive Analysis) System provides real-time, intraoperative measurements of your eye during cataract surgery. This allows your surgeon to choose the most accurate lens power and make precise adjustments, improving the likelihood of optimal vision and reducing the need for glasses after surgery.
Modern IOLs, including multifocal, extended depth-of-focus, and Light Adjustable Lenses (LALs), offer patients the ability to see clearly at various distances, reducing or eliminating the need for glasses. These lenses are designed to provide improved contrast sensitivity and visual quality, while the LAL allows post-surgical customization to fine-tune vision for near, intermediate, or distance tasks, giving highly personalized results.
