Femtosecond Laser Cataract Surgery

What Is Femtosecond Laser Cataract Surgery?

The femtosecond laser uses ultrashort pulses of energy (a quadrillionth of a second) to create precise incisions in the cornea and lens capsule without a surgical blade.

During cataract surgery, the laser replaces the most delicate manual steps:

• Creates a perfectly centered and circular capsulorhexis.

• Pre-fragments the crystalline lens, reducing the ultrasound energy needed for removal.

• Performs precise, programmable corneal incisions adapted to each patient’s unique anatomy.

Benefits of Femtosecond Laser Cataract Surgery

Reduced Energy and Faster Recovery

The laser softens and fragments the lens before phacoemulsification, lowering the amount of ultrasound energy used.

This means less trauma to the corneal endothelium, quicker recovery, and clearer postoperative vision.

Perfectly Centered Lens Placement

A laser-created capsulorhexis is perfectly circular and centered, ensuring a stable and precise intraocular lens (IOL) position.

This enhances the optical performance of premium IOLs, especially multifocal and extended-depth-of-focus (EDOF) lenses.

Enhanced Precision and Safety

Guided by real-time Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), the laser adapts every step to the patient’s exact eye anatomy.

This results in a personalized, reproducible, and highly safe surgical experience.

Customized Corneal Incisions

The femtosecond laser performs accurate, automated corneal incisions, improving wound healing and allowing for mild astigmatism correction during the same procedure.

Types of Intraocular Lenses (IOLs) Used

Femtosecond laser cataract surgery can be performed with any type of intraocular lens (IOL):

• Monofocal IOLs: provide maximum visual sharpness at one distance (usually far) but require glasses for near vision or reading.

• Extended Depth of Focus (EDOF) IOLs: offer excellent vision across multiple distances with minimal loss of contrast.

• Multifocal and Trifocal IOLs: provide greater independence from glasses for distance, intermediate, and near vision.

The precision of laser lens placement improves the optical performance and satisfaction of every patient.

A Premium, High-End Procedure

Femtosecond laser cataract surgery is considered a premium or high-end technique, using the latest surgical technologies and highest-quality materials available.

Each case is customized, aiming not only to remove the cataract but also to enhance the overall quality of vision — this is known as refractive cataract surgery.

Main Limitation: The High Cost

The main limitation of this advanced technique is its high cost, due to the complexity, maintenance, and precision of femtosecond laser platforms, as well as the use of premium intraocular lenses.

In Mexico City, only a few specialized hospitals currently offer this state-of-the-art laser cataract technology.

Femtosecond Laser Cataract Surgery in Mexico City

In Mexico City, femtosecond laser–assisted cataract surgery is available only in a limited number of high-tech hospitals with the required equipment and surgical infrastructure.

I am Dr. Luis Antonio García Padilla, an ophthalmologist with subspecialty training in Cornea, Refractive Surgery, and Cataract Surgery.

I possess the technical expertise and surgical experience to perform femtosecond laser cataract surgery using the most advanced techniques available.

Because of the technological level of these laser systems, patients interested in this premium procedure will need to travel to accredited hospitals in Mexico City where this next-generation equipment is available.

At these centers, I perform the surgery under the same standards of precision, safety, and personalized care that define my medical practice.