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Cleveland Clinic Offers New Laser Cataract Surgery

Individuals needing cataract surgery now have a new laser option that offers incredibly accurate and precise cataract surgery without the need for a surgical blade.

The latest advancement in cataract surgery is made possible through the same femtosecond laser technology that brought safety, accuracy and predictability to LASIK eye surgery.

Cleveland Clinic is among the few healthcare providers in Northeast Ohio to offer the first FDA-approved femtosecond laser system for cataract procedures. Consultations for the laser cataract surgery are available at Cleveland Clinic locations throughout Northeast Ohio, including Lorain Family Health Center, Lakewood Hospital, our Ashland/Mansfield office,

and at four Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute area locations. Surgeries are performed at Lakewood Hospital or at Cole Eye Institute on Cleveland Clinic’s main campus.

“This advanced laser system provides unparalleled accuracy and precision for many of the most challenging steps that are traditionally performed manually in cataract surgery,” says Peter M. McGannon, MD, of Cleveland Clinic’s Department of Ophthalmology, who sees patients at Lakewood Hospital and Lorain Family Health Center. “The laser system provides true image-guided surgical planning, which enables the eye surgeon to precisely program the size, shape and location of each incision.

“The laser refines our existing cataract extraction,” he says. “It makes the incisions, divides the cataract and corrects astigmatism more accurately than even the best of human hands.”

Once the cataract is removed, a new artificial lens is injected into the eye through a small incision, which is then closed without stitches. Benefits include decreased inflammation, improved comfort after surgery, lower long-term risks, and patients are more likely to remain glasses-free.

Individuals should check on specific eligibility and coverage benefits regarding laser cataract surgery from their insurance provider.