Many steps of cataract surgery were traditionally performed using handheld instruments. Now, your surgeon can use a laser and 3D imaging to create exceptionally accurate incisions, as well as create the circular opening for accessing and removing the cataract. Once the opening is created, the laser then softens and breaks up the hard cataract into tiny pieces, allowing for gentler, easier cataract removal with significantly less ultrasound energy than is used in traditional cataract surgery.