DEAR COLLEAGUES - a letter from Larry Patterson, MD

Times are changing – we all know it. Our cataract patients know it, too. These days, any patient who does a little online research learns that many cataract surgeons now use a laser. In an era when LASIK surgeons are delivering excellent results, patients often equate the use of a laser with precision and accuracy, and our clinical experience supports it. That precision and accuracy is changing the game in cataract surgery, as well.

Even the most experienced surgeons would agree, it’s nearly impossible to create a perfectly centered, consistently sized capsulorhexis by hand every time. Using a femtosecond laser, we can do this with ease. We can also do highly precise primary, secondary and arcuate incisions with a femtosecond laser as well as fragment the lens, which helps reduce phaco energy and time in the OR. The precision, accuracy and predictability of the laser could help us achieve excellent results, particularly with advanced technology IOLs. As I think we’re all learning, cataract patients’ expectations are high, and they have refractive targets they want to hit. With a femtosecond laser, we may be better equipped to meet their expectations.

In this supplement, Jose De La Cruz, MD, describes the impact of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery on outcomes at the University of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary. He reports some surprising results from a study that examined femtosecond laser-assisted and manual cataract surgeries performed by third-year residents and fellows.

Michael P. Jones, MD, who co-owns a large multispecialty practice that spans two states in the St. Louis area, answers the three most frequently asked questions he hears from surgeons and explains why he and his partners plan to add a third femtosecond laser this year.

Applying his LASIK mindset, Paul C. Kang, MD, a partner in a multispecialty practice in the Washington, D.C., area, describes the features he most appreciates when using the femtosecond laser for cataract surgery.

As an experienced surgeon and the sole owner of his practice and ASC in East Texas, Robert P. Lehmann, MD, wondered if he really needed a laser for cataract surgery. He discusses why he’s glad he made the investment.

Finally, we spoke with Christine Peterson, surgical coordinator for Dr. Jones, to find out her top 10 tips for educating patients and enhancing their surgical experiences.

The number of Americans with cataracts is expected to reach 30.1 million by 2020. That’s a 46.8% increase from 2004.¹ Are you ready to meet the demands of this growing patient population with state-of-the-art techniques and technology that is ever improving?

Sincerely,
Larry E. Patterson, MD
Chief Medical Editor,
Ophthalmology Management

REFERENCE

The surgeons featured in this supplement have received compensation from Alcon Laboratories for their contributions.

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