FEMTO second laser assisted cataract surgery (FLACS)

I have a couple of thoughts.

1. There is no way I'd allow someone, experienced as he might be in other ways, to go near my eyes using a procedure he has just learned.
2. If really clear vision at all distances, along with good contrast, are important to you, and you don't mind wearing glasses at least some of the time, you might want to consider monofocal rather than trifocal lenses.

I would seek out a couple of opinions. You'll want someone who has a lot of experience implanting lenses.

I looked at an article on the process by The American Academy of Ophthalmology called "Traditional Cataract Surgery vs. Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery" One interesting comment in the article:

"However, studies do not show that laser surgery results in fewer complications. Also, studies haven't found that laser surgery provides better outcomes. Your outcome depends in large part on the skill and experience of your surgeon."

This does not seem to bode well for someone doing the procedure for the first time!

That said given your photographic profession, I think I might be a bit more worried about the selection of a multifocal lens like the PanOptix. My conclusion on these lenses are that they are most attractive to people who really want to be glasses free at all distances, and are willing to give up some vision quality to do it. I have done a bit of amateur photography and it seems to me that the ability to see in low light, being able to view a shot through a viewfinder, or on a backscreen, and determine if it is in focus is very important. Also when photo editing on a monitor you want to be able to select which images are in focus and which are not. I wonder if the PanOptix will give you that level of vision quality.

This is actually an involved topic. Let me offer some views:

First, if you select a Premium lens, particularly a Toric version there seems to be a strong recommendation, but not mandatory, that it should be combined with the femto laser process. The femto process, in theory, has three advantages:

1. more perfect capusalorhexis which helps to control the stability of the IOL
2. faster recovery of the eye from the laser incision than the diamond pointer (maybe a few days or a week in the grand scheme does not make a difference)
3. less trauma to the eye than the traditional phacoemulisification

   My opthamologist said if cost was an issue that he would prioritize the femto over premium lens.

   The femto process is largely automated and the surgeon has a few responsibilities. First is successful attachment of the interface cup to your eye (no special skills here). Then reviewing the results of the machine scan, and confirmation parameters of the pupil and the incision points. The actual process is done by the machine. Should be no issue with the instructor present.

   The second item is the selection of the lenses. There is no perfect selection and all IOL types have benefits and disadvantages. You, and only you, can decide what is best for you. The basic priorities are glasses free, near vision with both eyes without glasses, or distance and intermediate vision without glasses. Then there are combinations of these.

   Finally there is the selection of the brand of lens for your selected type of vision. Your specialist may not offer all the different brands.

   Some people will just go with what their doctor/specialist recommends and other will do extensive research.

I didnt however------ do not have an inexperienced femto laser done by anyone who doesnt have hundreds of experiences!! You dont learn that overnight, nor in a month!!