Phaco (Phacoemulsification)

Phaco (Phacoemulsification)

In Phacoemulsification , eye’s internal lens is emulsified with an ultrasonic handpiece and aspirated from the eye.

Phaco Vs. FLACS

The femtosecond laser technology that brought new levels of safety, accuracy and predictability to LASIK surgery is also advancing cataract surgery. This latest procedure is known as Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS), but it is also known as laser cataract surgery.

In the cataract surgery, an advanced femtosecond laser replaces or assist the use of hand-held surgical device for the following steps in the surgery

• The corneal incision
• The anterior capsulotomy
• Lens and cataract fragmentation

All the steps of cataract surgery can be performed with the great precision, accuracy and reproducibility when done by laser.

The corneal incision –

In Phaco cataract surgery, the doctor uses a hand-held instrument with a metal or diamond blade to create an incision. Incision in the eye is helpful for the surgeon to access and break up the cataract in the interior of the eye which is also called natural lens. The next step is inserting the IOL inside and implant it at the place of natural lens.

In laser cataract surgery, the surgeon creates a precise surgical plan for the corneal incision with a sophisticated 3-D image of the eye called an OCT. The aim is to create an incision with a specific location, depth and length in all planes, and with the OCT image and a femtosecond laser, it can be performed with a very high degree of precision.

This is important not only for accuracy but also for increasing the likelihood that the incision will be self-sealing at the end of the procedure, which reduces the risk of infection.

The capsulotomy

Cataract or natural lens of the eye which is surrounded by thin clear capsule so, in phacoemulsification front part of capsule has to remove for the proper access to the cataract

It is very important that the remainder of the lens capsule that remains intact in the eye is not damaged during cataract surgery, because it must hold the artificial lens implant in place for the rest of the patient's life.

In Phaco cataract surgery, the doctor creates an opening in the capsule with a small needle and then uses that same needle or a forceps to tear the capsule in a circular fashion.

In FLACS cataract surgery, the anterior capsulotomy is performed with a femtosecond laser. Studies have shown that capsulotomies performed with a femtosecond laser have greater accuracy and reproducibility.

Lens and Cataract Fragmentation

After the capsulotomy, the surgeon now has access to the cataract to remove it.

In Phaco cataract surgery, the ultrasonic device that breaks up the cataract is inserted into the incision. In FLACS , femtosecond laser softens the cataract as it breaks up. Femtosecond laser reduces the energy required and increases the precision that helps in achieving the better results.

Which one is better?

Phaco is very effective and successful, but if you want the best possible vision, FLACS is the best available option right now.