Dr. Anthony Roberts is an established Rockville, Maryland ophthalmologist who emphasizes patient-centered LASIK care for serious issues impacting eyesight. One of the procedures Dr. Anthony Roberts has extensive knowledge of is cataract surgery, and he frequently performs laser-assisted cataract surgery. An advantage of this approach is that it involves the use of femtosecond laser technology, thereby enhancing the precision of steps in the procedure that previously required hand-held surgical tools. Laser-assisted cataract surgery starts with a surgical plan being created for corneal incision using optical coherence tomography (OCT), which provides a precise 3-D image of the eye. This enables the femtosecond laser to be used in creating an incision that is of a calibrated length, depth, and location across all planes. The femtosecond laser is also used to precisely remove the thin, clear capsule that surrounds the natural lens of the eye. Only the front portion is removed during the anterior capsulotomy, which leaves the rest of the capsule intact. This is critical, because the remaining capsule is used to keep the artificial lens implant in place. Finally, the laser is used to soften the cataract at the same time that it breaks it up, which reduces the energy required to remove the cataract. This is important in avoiding issues of heat buildup associated with ultrasonic devices traditionally inserted to break up the cataract, which in rare cases can induce astigmatism.

1. D R . A N T H O N Y R O B E R T S
Advantages of Laser-Assisted Cataract
Surgery

2. Introduction
Dr. Anthony Roberts is an established Rockville, Maryland ophthalmologist who
emphasizes patient-centered LASIK care for serious issues impacting eyesight. One of
the procedures Dr. Anthony Roberts has extensive knowledge of is cataract surgery,
and he frequently performs laser-assisted cataract surgery.

3. An advantage of this approach is that it involves the use of femtosecond laser
technology, thereby enhancing the precision of steps in the procedure that previously
required hand-held surgical tools.

4. Laser-assisted cataract surgery starts with a surgical plan being created for corneal
incision using optical coherence tomography (OCT), which provides a precise 3-D
image of the eye. This enables the femtosecond laser to be used in creating an incision
that is of a calibrated length, depth, and location across all planes.

5. The femtosecond laser is also used to precisely remove the thin, clear capsule that
surrounds the natural lens of the eye. Only the front portion is removed during the
anterior capsulotomy, which leaves the rest of the capsule intact. This is critical,
because the remaining capsule is used to keep the artificial lens implant in place.

6. Finally, the laser is used to soften the cataract at the same time that it breaks it up,
which reduces the energy required to remove the cataract. This is important in avoiding
issues of heat buildup associated with ultrasonic devices traditionally inserted to break
up the cataract, which in rare cases can induce astigmatism.