All-laser Cataract Surgery

This year's ASCRS/ASOA meeting was the first time in many years that I was able to attend a number of courses (other than my own), and spend time on the exhibition floor with many of the vendors and get a broader feel for the industry beyond LASIK website marketing and design.

One technology that appears to be on the horizon is all-laser cataract surgery. Augusta, Georgia LASIK and cataract surgeon, Howard Brucker, MD. Introduced me to this emerging technology and the surgical benefits for the doctor and patient.

-more consistent incision length
-more consistant incision angle
-more precise incision than a blade for quicker healing
-more efficient and precise extraction of cataract lens
-more predictable insertion of the new lens

Overall, safety and efficiency may make this the way cataract surgery will be performed in the near future. This may also be part of what can drive the consumer market for the lifestyle and safety of premium lens surgery.

I believe I heard the time frame for FDA approval of this technology may be as soon as October. If that is the case, then the timing for marketing it may coincide with year-end Medicare deductables being met. May be a good time to start considering your cataract/premium lens marketing efforts.