EIU Performs First Blade-Free Cataract Surgery in Western US
The Eye Institute of Utah received the first commercially available blade-free femtosecond cataract laser in the Western United States on February 22, 2011. There are only three of these blade-free lasers currently in use in the world. The LenSx laser, installed at The Eye Institute of Utah, is the first commercially approved by the FDA for performance of anterior capsulotomies and corneal incisions, all of which were previously performed with blades prior to the introduction of this state of the art technology.
Until now, multiple steps of a cataract procedure were performed manually with a blade. A manual procedure allows for a margin of error that can increase risks and affect outcomes. With the introduction of the first FDA Approved femtosecond cataract laser, surgeons at The Eye Institute of Utah can create custom, blade-free incisions that are more precise, thus eliminating some of the variables that have complicated cataract surgery even with what many consider modern techniques. Recent data shows that this custom blade-free laser performs some steps of the procedure up to 1000 times more accurate than manual techniques, even in the hands of very experienced surgeons. Drs. Robert Cionni and Alan Crandall both performed cataract surgery procedures on Feb 28th, 2011 with this special laser.
The surgeons at The Eye Institute of Utah were selected to receive one of the first custom blade-free cataract lasers in the world due to their distinguished history of over 30 years of pioneering modern cataract procedures. These remarkable eye surgeons have dedicated their lives to improving patient outcomes. Dr. Robert J. Cionni and Dr. Alan S. Crandall are renowned key speakers at annual events and conferences across the globe and are respected teachers and innovators in the industry. Over the past few years, cataract procedures at The Eye Institute of Utah have been broadcast live to thousands of doctors at the annual American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Symposium and American Academy of Ophthalmology meetings as a means of teaching the best techniques and protocols to doctors across the US and the world.
“We are thrilled to receive one of the first custom blade-free cataract lasers. It will give our patients a safer, more accurate cataract procedure. Not only will this help patients in Utah, but we anticipate people from all over the country will travel to The Eye Institute of Utah to have surgery.” Dr. Robert J. Cionni, MD, Medical Director of The Eye Institute of Utah.
About The Eye Institute of Utah
Originally founded in 1980 by Dr. Andrew Lyle, The Eye Institute of Utah has seen tremendous growth and numerous changes in its 30 year history. It is known throughout the country as a premiere center for cataract lens implant surgery, LASIK, cornea, refractive, retinal and glaucoma treatments. Dr. Crandall and Dr. Cionni are both repeatedly named two of America’s Top Doctors as reviewed by Castle Connolly, are listed in Premier Surgeon 250 which showcases the top innovators in the field of cataract surgery, and are both named in Becker’s ASC Review of 34 of the Best Ophthalmologists in America. Over the last three decades, surgeons at The Eye Institute of Utah have performed over 100,000 procedures and have been involved in many dozens of clinical trials and studies that have significantly impacted and improved modern eye surgery.
The Eye Institute of Utah is located at 755 east 3900 South in Salt Lake City, UT 84107, and can be reached at (800) 760-4171, and found online at either www.theeyeinstitute.com, or The Eye Institute of Utah Facebook page.
