FLACS- what is it?
In this video, Dr Mohammed Muhtaseb explains what you need to know about FLACS
FLACS- how does it work?
A camera/ultrasound device is placed over your eye to map its surface. It also gathers information about your lens. The device sends the results to a computer that programs the laser. This tells the laser the exact location, size, and depth for incisions.
We then use the laser to make the corneal incision and the opening in the capsule. We also use energy from the laser to soften the cataract.
An ultrasound probe breaks the lens into pieces and suctions them out. We then put the IOL in the eye. The incision usually does not need stitches.
Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS) is a new, state-of-the-art operation that is only performed by a few specialist eye surgeons in the UK. Cataract surgery is very safe, successful and effective whether performed by the traditional manual method or by laser.
FLACS- advantages and disadvantages
ADVANTAGES
Using a laser allows us to make precise incisions in less time. It can improve accuracy and consistency.
In some cases, the laser can provide more correction than traditional surgery.
Also, studies haven’t found that laser surgery provides better outcomes. Your outcome depends in large part on the skill and experience of your surgeon.
DISADVANTAGES
Femto-laser cataract surgery carries the same risks as conventional ultrasound cataract surgery.
Specific risks related to the use of femtosecond laser are infrequent but may include imperfect suction of the laser interface on the cornea and bubbles in the eye that may delay the procedure.
These are all of very low likelihood.
FLACS- results and alternatives
The results of Femtosecond Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery are excellent, and it is one of the most successful surgical interventions in modern medicine.
The vast majority of patients achieve best vision of 6/6 unless there is another eye disease that prevents this outcome.
Some people can see clearly almost immediately. Others may find their vision clears within a week or two. It takes about 4-6 weeks to fully recover from cataract surgery.
The alternative to FLACS is standard conventional cataract surgery.
Discover the number one mistake patients make when choosing cataract surgery
Most people have cataract surgery without knowing about all the options they actually have surrounding cataract surgery. Unfortunately, most people only find this out after having cataract surgery. The information in this Wales Cataract Guide could save you frustration and worry. Simply click the button below to give us your email and we’ll send you this life changing guide:
Who might need our FLACS treatment?
You’re over 45 and would love to read again without glasses
Unfortunately, reading glasses or varifocals get in the way of many of the things you most enjoy. Yes, spectacles help, but they are annoying little appendages that you lose or must clean to see clearly.
If you feel annoyed, anxious and limited by reading glasses or varifocal spectacles, we can help. Don’t let your favourite hobbies become tiring chores.
Be free from reading specs for good. Experience the liberation from squinting and headaches that you might have already begun to accept as part of life.
Instead, look forward to enjoying everything that your vision has to offer. Whether you enjoy reading, gardening, or the great outdoors, everything looks better when your eyes see as young as you feel.
Get a new lease on life. Contact us today and take the first step towards a better life.
Your vision is yellowing, duller, and cataracts are forming.
The effect on your life can vary from being slightly frustrating, through to significantly affecting your ability to function independently, or even causing a devastating reduction in vision.
Before you developed cataracts, you were living a full life. You may enjoy the outdoors, have indoor hobbies or enjoy travelling. Or, perhaps you have finished working and are now taking the time to enjoy everything you may have missed when you were busy making a living.
Sadly, your eyes now dull the shine of life’s beautiful landscape. The trees, the flowers and even the sky don’t seem as bright as they used to look.
Get your life back without the compromise. Experience what life used to look like. Even better, if you’ve worn glasses or contact lenses, discover the incredible once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that modern cataract surgery affords.
Hear from our patients
With over 6300+ surgeries performed hear from just a few of my happy patients.
It’s been incredibly liberating to wake up in the morning and be able to see without reaching for my glasses.
I can go any anywhere and see anything near and far. I can see now as well as I could when I was 18 years of age which is incredible and I’m looking forward to clear vision for the rest of my life.
“No. 1 – My advice would be do it. No. 2 – See Mohammed if you can. I made the decision to not go down the NHS route because I wanted to see the best consultant – probably in the UK… It was absolutely worth it… because you can’t really put a price on your sight.”
“I don’t wear glasses at all now. I don’t need them. I was impressed by his professionalism, his calmness. He explained everything clearly and in layman’s language… I would say to anyone considering treatment: just do it. Don’t be afraid of it. It’s painless and it works.”
“I can’t speak highly enough of (Prof Muhtaseb). Nothing was too much trouble, you could phone anytime, day or night. I wish I had done it when I first started wearing reading glasses and just gone to Prof Muhtaseb then and got it done. I would do it all over again, but do it much faster.”
“I would definitely recommend the professor. I think his approach is perfect! If you have any anxieties at all – just check with someone who’s had the procedure done. I had no pain at all. I expected a little bit of discomfort – but no pain, that was good. It’s life-enhancing and that’s not something you can put clearly enough. I didn’t realise how green the trees were! It’s lovely!”
Enjoy a life free from cataracts, glasses and contact lenses in three easy steps
Talk to us
Request your consultation online or call us on 02922 550 201 and we’ll guide you towards an initial assessment.
Meet your consultant
I’ll see you before treatment to ensure you’re a good candidate and treat you at one of my facilities in South Wales or Bristol.
Revitalise your eyes
I’ll supervise your aftercare as you begin to experience a life free of cataracts and glasses and contact lenses.
Learn more about eye conditions and eye treatments
Do I need different surgeries to get my cataract and short-sightedness/ long-sightedness and astigmatism corrected?
How do you benefit from refractive cataract surgery?
How does FLACS work for cataract surgery patients?
How long will refractive cataract surgery results last?
Educate yourself further about cataract surgery by reading the links below
The NHS provides an overview of cataracts .
Click here for more information.If you know you have cataracts, you may be interested in how cataract surgery works. This NHS overview will provide you with that information.
Click here for more on this.Did you know that driving with cataracts could carry prosecution if your vision is not up to the legal standards required for driving.
Click here for more information.Diabetes can increase your risk of developing cataracts later on in life, as well as other risk factors.
Click here for more information.The use of femtosecond lasers within cataract surgery is becoming more common. Femtosecond lasers are used to minimise the use of surgical blades and needles providing precision and micron accuracy.
There is a 98 – 99% likelihood of undergoing laser assisted cataract surgery without complications that may permanently affect your best possible vision.
Lifestyle cataract surgery is a safe and effective treatment for many middle-aged patients with high refractive errors. Most patients with cataract are suitable to have it removed. Yet, there are other factors to consider before entering the surgical theatre.
Cataracts often develop slowly and painlessly. They can affect your vision and ability to do day-to-day tasks without you realising it. We can sometimes correct this gradual decline in sight with an up to date pair of glasses. More often than not, the glasses prescription continue to change, and the new pair of glasses is very soon obsolete.
We are proud to be a part of these professional bodies
Prof Mohammed Muhtaseb, FRCOphth
Consultant Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgeon
Based in South Wales, he is one of the very few ophthalmologists working in the UK who is a fellowship-trained specialist in Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery. He holds full specialist registration with the General Medical Council and was appointed as a Consultant in the NHS in 2006.