Co-managing laser cataract surgery

Associate Optometric Editor Katherine M. Mastrota, OD, offers her view on one panelist’s presentation during the special session “Refractive/Cataract Surgery: The Future Revealed” at the 90th annual SECO International meeting in Atlanta:

Former Wills Eye Hospital surgeon Tyrie Jenkins, MD, spoke about her perspective on femtosecond laser cataract surgery, the implications of laser cataract surgery and OD cataract surgery co-management as part of a panel.

Dr. Jenkins, who is based in Honolulu, is a proponent of OD/MD cataract surgery co-management. She reviewed cataract surgery from couching to what may become the standard in cataract surgery today, laser-assisted cataract surgery. Laser-assisted cataract surgery has the potential to improve refractive outcomes and reduce cataract complications by creating a precise corneal incision and capsulorhexis as well as pre-treating the natural lens for removal with less phacoemulsification power.

The femtosecond photodisruptive laser produces microscopic bubbles that have the ability to divide material at a molecular level with no heat production. Interestingly, Dr. Jenkins notes that patient adoption of laser-assisted cataract surgery, currently an upcharge, is at 45% in her practice.