During cataract surgery, the eye’s cloudy lens is replaced by a clear synthetic lens. Through two microscopic incisions, the anterior capsule of the lens is opened 360 degrees, the cloudy contents softened and removed and a new lens placed within the capsular bag. Pre-existing astigmatism may be addressed by partial thickness arcuate incisions into the cornea, the covering over the eye.
This can all be done manually using the surgeon’s skill and expertise. A better option is to have much of the process performed by a computer-controlled femtosecond laser, including the incisions, the opening of the capsule, the lens softening and pre-existing astigmatism correction. This provides a level of safety and accuracy that just cannot be duplicated by hand.