Reid Wainess MD at California Eye and Ear is First in the San Gabriel Valley to Perform Cataract Surgery with the Alcon LENSX® Laser

News provided by

Retina Institute of California

May 02, 2014, 03:00 ET

San Gabriel, California (PRWEB) May 02, 2014 -- California Eye and Ear, Reid Wainess, MD is the first eye surgeon in the San Gabriel Valley to perform laser refractive cataract surgery with a bladeless, computer-controlled laser that ensures the highest-precision surgical incisions. The LenSx laser was installed this week at The San Gabriel Surgery Center in San Gabriel, where four customized laser cataract surgeries were performed on April 29th, by Dr. Wainess.

“We are proud to offer the most advanced refractive eye care treatments for our patients in California,” said Dr. Reid Wainess, medical director of California Eye and Ear. “By adding computer control to the most critical three key steps, the LenSx laser enables us to address the refractive goals of our cataract surgery patients and to predictably deliver a premium procedure. The LenSx laser is unquestionably the most technologically advanced option for refractive cataract patients.”

LenSx utilizes a femtosecond laser, which has been used to perform LASIK surgery since FDA approval in 2001, and offers an alternative to the mechanical cuts used in traditional LASIK. This technology brought both safety and precision to the surgeon and the patient. This same innovation used for all-laser LASIK is now revolutionizing cataract surgery.

The three key patients’ benefits of the femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery versus traditional manual cataract surgery are:
1) The laser provides a more precise circular incision around the cataract, which is associated with more accurate placement of the intraocular lens implant. The main corneal incision is created through multiple planes to reduce the potential for wound leakage. A real time computerized laser imaging system guides the laser beam to the correct target during the surgery.
2) The laser pre-softens the cataract, allowing surgeons to minimize the use of ultrasound energy to remove the cataract lens. Decreased usage of ultrasound energy is associated with faster visual recovery and reduces the chances of thermal injury to tissues inside the eye.
3) Using the laser to create all corneal incisions also allows the surgeon to minimize the amount of astigmatism patients have after surgery, which lessens the needs for glasses subsequently.

“We are thrilled to have this technology available to us. Prior to this, cataract surgery was performed by hand with blades or needles. With the LenSx laser, I am able to perform my patients’ surgeries to more exacting, individualized specifications not attainable with other surgical methods. More importantly, I expect my patients to recover more quickly and be even more satisfied with their outcome,” said Dr.Wainess.

For more information on California Eye and Ear cataract surgery with the LenSx Laser, go to http://www.californiaeyeandear.com to set up a consultation with California Eye and Ear for your LenSx blade-free cataract surgery, call 626-269-5355.

About Alcon
Building on its heritage of more than 65 years, Alcon, the global leader in eye care, is the second largest division of the Novartis Group. Alcon has more than 22,000 employees with headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas, USA. Alcon’s three businesses – Surgical, Pharmaceutical and Vision Care – meet the diverse needs of eye care professionals and patients offering the widest spectrum of eye care products with operations in 75 countries and products available in 180 markets. For more information, visit http://www.alcon.com.

Jossi James, Retina Institute of California, +1 9496100051, [email protected]