Laser Cataract Surgery in San Antonio, TX

When it comes to managing your cataracts, Dr. Kristin Held proudly offers innovative diagnostic tests and treatment options, including laser cataract surgery. Caused by a buildup or breakdown of proteins in your eye's natural lens, cataracts start to develop around the age of 40. Since a cataract clouds areas within your natural lens, we typically need to remove it and replace the old one with an intraocular lens (IOL) to control the condition. Dr. Held performs laser cataract surgery with advanced technology that can map out the eye's surface and create a precise, bladeless incision, open the lens capsule, and fragment the lens. This methodology greatly reduces the risks of complications. For patients who experience nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia, custom IOLs can address these issues so they no longer have to depend on glasses or contacts.

Please schedule a visit with Dr. Held at her San Antonio, TX eye care practice to learn about your eligibility for laser cataract surgery.

Generally, anyone in good health and with later-stage cataracts can undergo this type of treatment. However, some patients may not be good candidates for laser cataract surgery. During a consultation at Eye Surgeon Direct, Dr. Held will discuss your options, and if approved, she will design a treatment plan that matches your needs. Taking about 30 minutes to complete, Dr. Held:

• Numbs the eyes for comfort with specialized drops 
• Utilizes sophisticated technology to create a 3D map of your eye
• Uses laser-assisted devices to carefully make an incision and dissolve the cataract
• Removes the cataract 
• Replaces it with a new, artificial lens 
• Places an eyeshield to protect your eye

Following your treatment, you will go home and rest for about four hours. Then you will place drops in your eyes to prevent infection and inflammation. You will start to notice improved vision soon after. Your vision will be good enough to drive and perform other activities of daily living within a few days, but you will need about 4 – 8 weeks before you fully recover. This timeline does vary for each person depending on their individual underlying medical conditions and additional eye problems. At first, you may have some cloudiness, and you should avoid pressing or scratching your eyes, no matter how much they itch. You will also need to attend appointments and closely follow aftercare instructions to ensure proper healing.

If not treated properly, cataracts will drastically impact your day-to-day routine and gradually cause total, but fortunately reversible, blindness. Thankfully, by choosing laser cataract surgery at Eye Surgeon Direct, you could become cataract-free and receive even better eyesight without the need for glasses or contact lenses. We urge patients who have been diagnosed with cataracts to reach out to our San Antonio, TX office soon for a comprehensive exam with Dr. Kristin Held. She can go over each of your possible treatments and reduce your worries about undergoing laser cataract surgery.