Helm Vision Center

Q: Dr. Helm, would you explain the difference between traditional cataract surgery and laser cataract surgery?

Dr. Helm: Traditional cataract surgery involves the use of metal or diamond blades to make incisions through the cornea to access the cataract. A puncture is then made in the front side of the capsule that surrounds the cataract and forceps are used to tear a circular opening through which an ultrasound probe is passed and used to break up the cataract. Generally, in experienced hands, this technique produces excellent results with standard lens implants. However, there are now more advanced lens implants such as the trifocal lens implant (PanOptix®) and astigmatism-correcting lens implants that perform best when they are perfectly centered in the eye. Laser-assisted cataract surgery allows