Are you getting ripped off by cataract surgery?

Cataract surgery can feel overwhelming to navigate. There are so many “upgrades” that can be added to the surgery, and it’s hard to know what actually provides value without having had the formal training of an eye surgeon.

Here are some common questions:

  • Is Laser Assisted (aka “bladeless”) surgery worth it?
  • Which lens implant is best for me?
  • Do I really need cataract surgery right now?

On top of that, it’s common to feel rushed with the doctor, and often these important questions end up getting answered by someone other than the surgeon. That naturally leads to these questions:

  • Is this non-physician staff member qualified to answer these questions?

  • Does this non-physician staff member have my best interest in mind, or might commission affect their recommendations?

To provide justice to these questions is too much for this blog post, but we will address one, and it is on the topic of laser-assisted cataract surgery.

Is the laser really worth the cost?

Many studies over the years have been devoted to this very question. And the results are clear:

  • It provides no statistical difference in long term visual outcomes when compared to traditional cataract surgery1,2,3,4,5,6

  • It provides no statistical difference in rates of complications when compared to traditional cataract surgery1,2,3,5,6

So if you go to a practice, and they insist on the laser being “more safe” or “more effective,” keep in mind that the data shows otherwise, and there are financial incentives behind such comments.

 

That’s why we don’t use it at Shmunes Vision, because it’s a waste of your money.


At Shmunes Vision, our motto is “Treat patients as you would like to be treated.“


That means we operate a little differently. When it comes to cataract surgery, you can expect:

  • Your surgeon will be the one to discuss the details of the surgery with you. We do not delegate these discussions to non-physician staff members.
  • Your surgeon will be the one to discuss the best lens implant for you. In fact, you will see them twice before surgery to discuss this topic. It’s an important decision!

  • You will not be pressured to buy the “upgrades” that add no value to your vision.

Bottom line, you will be treated like we would treat our own family.

Shmunes Vision has two expert cataract surgeons: Dr.Kathryn Shmunes and Dr.John Hunt. Their schedules fill up quickly, so please call soon!

If you would like a consultation, please call: 904-834-0503

240 Ponte Vedra Park Drive, Suite 202

Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida 32082

Or click the button below, fill out the form, and we will call you soon!

Click here and we will call you soon!

Dr.Kathryn Shmunes – Expert Cataract Surgeon

Dr.John Hunt – Expert Cataract Surgeon

 References

1.Lee, Ssu-Hsien, et al. “Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery versus Conventional Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.” Scientific Reports, vol. 15, no. 1, 2025, article 27569. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-13174-1.

 

2.Song, Xinzhi, et al. “Comparing the Efficacy and Safety between Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery and Conventional Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology, vol. 60, no. 1, Feb. 2025, pp. e1-e10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcjo.2024.05.030.

 

3.Abell, Robin G., et al. “Femtosecond Laser–Assisted Cataract Surgery versus Standard Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery: Outcomes and Safety in More than 4000 Cases at a Single Center.” Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, vol. 41, no. 1, Jan. 2015, pp. 47-52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrs.2014.06.025.

 

4.Chen, Xinyi, et al. “Comparing the Curative Effects between Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery and Conventional Phacoemulsification Surgery: A Meta-Analysis.” PLOS ONE, vol. 11, no. 3, 21 Mar. 2016, article e0152088. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0152088.

 

5.Nithianandan, Harrish, et al. “Refractive Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery versus Conventional Manual Surgery: Comparing Efficacy and Safety in 3144 Eyes.” American Journal of Ophthalmology, vol. 206, Oct. 2019, pp. 32-39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2019.04.010.

6.Kolb, Carolin M., et al. “Comparison of Femtosecond Laser–Assisted Cataract Surgery and Conventional Cataract Surgery: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review.” Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, vol. 46, no. 8, Aug. 2020, pp. 1075-85. https://doi.org/10.1097/j.jcrs.000000000000022