Laser procedure involves extra cost and time

ON behalf of the Malaysian Society of Ophthalmology, which represents eye doctors in Malaysia, I would like to respond to the report “Cataract surgery safer with laser” (Sunday Star, March 4).

For the past 20 years, phacoemulsification cataract surgery (Phaco) has been the gold standard for cataract surgery. Phaco removes the cloudy lens (cataract) using ultrasound energy through a small corneal incision which is made using a single-use surgical blade. An intraocular lens implant (IOL) is then inserted into the eye to replace the removed cloudy lens. The IOL can be monofocal or multifocal. This procedure is quick, safe and has produced excellent results.