As Medicare pays less for cataract surgery, doctors turn to moneymaking lasers

For many Americans, cataract surgery is a necessary procedure as they age, with over half of people by age 80 having developed cataracts. Traditionally performed using a scalpel, the surgery involves removing the clouded natural lens and replacing it with an artificial one. However, some doctors are now using lasers instead, which they claim provides more precise cuts than the scalpel.

This method not only benefits patients by allowing them to avoid glasses but also provides doctors with financial incentives, as the equipment can cost up to $500,000. Medicare pays about $520 for a standard cataract procedure, but doctors can bill patients extra for using the laser, particularly when inserting premium lenses or fixing astigmatism.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, laser surgery does not result in fewer complications or better outcomes compared to the traditional method. Despite this, the use of lasers for cataract surgery has been growing, with nearly 12% of annual surgeries in the U.S. now being laser-assisted. Some doctors believe that patients choose the laser because it offers a more precise procedure, while others opt for it to avoid the need for glasses.