Laser Cataract Eye Surgery on Long Island, NY

In April 2011, Island Eye Surgicenter became the first surgical center on the East Coast, and only the fourth center in the entire United States, to acquire the latest femtosecond laser for laser cataract surgery. It was the first laser approved by the FDA for use inside the eye and features computer and digital image-guided precision that has revolutionized key steps of cataract surgery.

Island Eye Surgicenter has more experience performing laser cataract surgery with the femtosecond laser than any other hospital or ASC in the region. In February of 2014, we upgraded to the next generation of femtosecond laser: the Catalys. The Catalys Laser provides the next generation of enhanced imaging and precision in laser cataract surgery. No other center on Long Island or in the region has had the opportunity to work with two femtosecond lasers and gained the experience that Island Eye Surgicenter and its surgeons has.

Although “no-stitch” cataract surgery remains the standard procedure, with high success rates and an extremely low occurrence of complications, laser cataract surgery is becoming increasingly popular due to its increased safety, efficiency and precision. It makes an already safe and excellent procedure even better.

In standard cataract surgery, all steps, including the creation of the initial, self-sealing incisions and the breakup and removal of the clouded lens, are performed manually with advanced microsurgical instruments and utilizing the skill of the surgeon. In laser eye surgery, these steps are performed with a laser that is guided by 3D imaging.

The Catalys laser is a customizable, 3D surgical platform that performs three essential steps of cataract surgery:

1. Creates the corneal incisions (the self-sealing incision created on the surface of the cornea)
2. Performs anterior capsulotomy (opens the front part of the natural lens capsule that houses the eye’s crystalline lens)
3. Performs the lens fragmentation (breaks up the eye’s natural lens for easy removal)

During laser cataract surgery, a 3D image of the eye and precise measurements are taken, which helps the surgeon determine the thickness of the cornea and the distance between the cornea and the lens. This information is then used to guide the femtosecond laser to create customized and extremely precise incisions, thereby improving surgical control and accuracy. In fact, the precision achieved through the use of the femtosecond laser is 10 times greater than with the manual technique, according to a pilot study conducted at Stanford University.

The final step of cataract surgery, which is the implantation of an artificial lens, remains unchanged in laser cataract surgery.

When compared to other types of cataract surgery, laser cataract surgery offers several benefits, including shorter treatment times, greater precision, safer recovery and increased chance of achieving optimal visual outcomes post-surgery.

Island Eye Surgicenter has been performing “All-Laser” cataract surgery since 2011. We are proud to have been chosen to be one of the first four centers in the entire nation to be offered the opportunity to acquire this technology. This is a testimony to our stellar reputation in the field of outpatient ophthalmic surgery. Our experience with this procedure is simply unparalleled!

Learn more about the Catalys Femtosecond Laser and other technology utilized at Island Eye Surgicenter.