According to data collected by the World Health Organization (WHO), there is a 25% decrease in the prevalence of blindness in India. The contributing factor for the same is the high number of successful cataract surgeries in the country.

What is Cataract Surgery With Laser?

Before going to cataract surgery with laser, let’s first understand cataract surgery. Cataract surgery is the procedure to remove a milky lens and replace it with an intraocular lens (IOL). There are primarily two techniques to remove the cloudy lens inside the eye- one that is performed with a scalpel and the other is performed with a laser probe. The one which involves using a laser probe is known as cataract surgery with laser or laser-assisted cataract surgeries.

Procedure of Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery in Delhi

The laser-assisted cataract surgery is similar to the traditional method of removing the cataract. The only difference is that it has an additional step in the beginning which ensures far more accuracy and precision. Generally, cataract surgery with laser involves the following steps-

●     Eye mapping-

The first and foremost step of laser-assisted cataract surgery is mapping the anatomy of the eye. As a first step, the eye surgeon puts an ultrasound imaging device or a camera over the eye. The special instrument placed over the eye collects information related to the eye including its shape, size, location of the hard lens, and the thickness of the cornea. Processing the information, the computer instructs the laser about the exact location where the incisions need to be made as well as the depth of the incisions.

●     Softening the hard lens-

In the mature stages of cataracts, the lens can harden or become stiff. A hardened lens can incur several significant complications which make it more difficult to remove. But this obstacle can be overcome in laser cataract surgery. The reason being the laser probe emits ultrasound waves that soften the lens and make it easier for the eye surgeon to remove. Sometimes, this step is performed while mapping the eye. Therefore, it shortens the surgical time.

●     Making incisions-

With the help of another laser and data provided by the computer, the surgeon makes incisions. These incisions are smaller than the ones made during the traditional method as the doctor relies on accurate data rather than instinct. Therefore, recovery is also much faster after laser cataract surgery.

●     Breaking the cataract lens-

In the traditional method, the lens is broken with the help of a pen device that emits sound waves. But in laser-assisted cataract surgery, no such device is required as the ultrasound waves emitted from the laser probe is sufficient. Moreover, the energy required to break the lens is much lesser than the traditional technique. Therefore, it decreases the risk of side effects considerably.

●     Removing the lens-

To remove the broken parts of the cloudy lens, the doctor sucks these out with a device. In case there are too many broken parts, the patient may need to undergo another surgery.

●     Implanting another lens-

Last, once the cloudy lens is removed, the surgeon places the new intraocular lens (IOL) in the exact location of the natural lens. The type of lens implanted is determined by several factors including age of the patient, extent of blurry vision, cost, etc.

Benefits of Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery in Delhi

Laser-assisted cataract surgery has gained ample momentum over the last decade. It is primarily because of the advantages it offers over the traditional method-

  • Offers better vision in contrast to the conventional method once the surgery is completed.
  • Guarantees far more accuracy and precision from the first step itself.
  • In addition to cataracts, the procedure can also correct refractive errors such as astigmatism.
  • The risk of swelling and other side effects is reduced to minimal as it requires less energy to break the lens.
  • The patient is able to recover much faster and likely to restore their vision more quickly as the incisions are much smaller in size.

Clinics in Delhi Where You Can Opt For Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery in Delhi

Although New Delhi is the medical hub of the country, the number of clinics where one can safely undergo the process of laser cataract surgery is less. Refer to this table of clinics as a starting point on the quest of finding yourself an eye clinic in Delhi.

Serial No.

 Name Address

Contact No.

1.

 Pristyn Care Huda Market, SCO 309, 2nd, Sector 29, Gurugram, Haryana 122022 074282 92747

2.

 Spectra Eye Hospital E-82-A, Greater Kailash-1, Greater Kailash I, Greater Kailash, New Delhi, Delhi 110048 081309 29913

3.

 Sharp Sight Centre South Delhi Eye Hospital 5, Ground & Basement Floor, Aradhana Enclave, Sector 13, Rama Krishna Puram, New Delhi, Delhi 110066 011 4103 0908

4.

 Fortis Hospital AA-299, Shaheed Udham Singh Marg, AA Block, Poorbi Shalimar Bag, Shalimar Bagh, Delhi, 110088 011 4530 2222

5.

 Manipal Hospital Delhi Palam Vihar, Sector 6 Dwarka, Dwarka, New Delhi, Delhi 110075 011 4967 4967

6.

 Foresight Eye Clinic RPS Flats, 106, Pocket A, Sheikh Sarai Phase 1, Sheikh Sarai, New Delhi, Delhi 110017 085128 10001

7.

 Eye7 Chaudhary Eye Centre Metro Pillar No-614 A-1/173, Najafgarh Rd, Block A1, Janakpuri, New Delhi, Delhi 110058 011 4040 4070

8.

 Shroff Eye Centre, New Delhi  A-9, Lala Lajpat Rai Marg, Block A, Kailash Colony, Greater Kailash, New Delhi, Delhi 110048 011 4163 3999

9.

 Medanta -The Medicity CH Baktawar Singh Rd, near Olympus, Medicity, Islampur Colony, Sector 38, Gurugram, Haryana 122001 0124 414 1414

10.

 Bharti Eye Hospital E 52, Block E, Greater Kailash I, Greater Kailash, New Delhi, Delhi 110048 011 2924 0000

Conclusion

Cataract surgery with laser is a safe procedure to undergo. To add, the patient needs to take a sufficient amount of rest and put the eye drops diligently post-surgery. In case you are considering laser-assisted cataract surgery in Delhi, get in touch with an experienced eye surgeon and clarify all the queries.