LASIK is a common procedure used to improve vision. Many people who have had LASIK in their younger years later wonder if it affects their options when cataracts begin to develop. The answer is simple: yes, cataract surgery can be performed on patients who’ve had LASIK.
But there are a few things your doctor will want to know first. Here’s what the process involves, what you can expect, and what makes it different for someone with a LASIK history.
Understanding the Connection Between LASIK and Cataracts
LASIK changes the front surface of your eye to help correct your vision. Cataracts, on the other hand, form inside the eye and cloud the natural lens. These are two different areas of the eye. So, having LASIK doesn’t stop you from getting cataracts later in life.
As people age, cataracts become more common. If you had LASIK in your 20s, 30s, or even 40s, you may still develop cataracts years down the line. Fortunately, your LASIK history won’t disqualify you from future treatment.
How Cataract Surgery Works After LASIK
Cataract surgery involves replacing the cloudy natural lens with an artificial one. Your LASIK procedure won’t change this process. However, it may impact how your doctor chooses the lens and prepares for the surgery.
Because LASIK changes the shape of your cornea, it can affect certain measurements your doctor needs to take before cataract surgery. These measurements help decide which lens is best for your eyes.
Most eye surgeons are well prepared to work with patients who have had LASIK. With careful planning and the right tools, they can still choose a lens that works well for you.
Will Vision Results Be the Same?
Cataract surgery can still give excellent results in LASIK patients. Many people enjoy sharper vision and reduced reliance on glasses. But the outcomes may vary slightly because of earlier changes to your cornea.
This doesn’t mean your vision will be poor. It just means your doctor may need to take extra care to get the right measurements and select the best lens for your needs.
Some patients may also need glasses for certain tasks after cataract surgery, even if they didn’t need them for years following LASIK. Your doctor will go over this with you during your pre-surgery evaluation.
What to Tell Your Doctor Before Cataract Surgery
Let your doctor know if you’ve had LASIK or any other type of vision correction procedure. This is one of the most important parts of your consultation.
If you have your past LASIK records, bring them with you. These records can help your doctor understand your eye’s original measurements and how they changed after LASIK.
Even if you don’t have those records, your eye doctor can still move forward with cataract surgery. New technology helps fill in the gaps when old information is missing. It just helps to provide whatever you can.
What Kind of Lens Will You Need?
When you have cataract surgery, your doctor will replace your cloudy lens with a clear artificial one. There are several types of lenses available. Some correct distance vision, while others are designed for multiple ranges.
Because of the changes caused by LASIK, selecting a lens for a post-LASIK eye can take more time. Your doctor will go over all the options and may recommend extra testing to choose a lens that fits your vision goals.
If you had LASIK to reduce your need for glasses, you may want a lens that continues to support that lifestyle. Your eye doctor will ask about your daily habits and preferences to find a match that works well for you.
Does Cataract Surgery Undo LASIK?
No. Cataract surgery doesn’t reverse your LASIK results. LASIK reshapes the front of your eye. Cataract surgery works inside the eye. Both surgeries affect your vision, but in different ways.
The two procedures don’t cancel each other out. Instead, they work together to give you the clearest vision possible based on your current eye health. It’s just that cataract surgery adds another layer to your overall vision history.
Can LASIK Make Cataract Surgery More Complicated?
It may add a little complexity to the planning phase, but not to the surgery itself. The surgery is still the same. What changes is how your doctor prepares for it.
For example, your doctor may use different tools or formulas to calculate the right lens power. These adjustments are routine and expected. Doctors who treat many cataract patients are used to making these modifications for LASIK patients.
You may also need a few extra conversations during the planning stage to talk through what kind of vision you want after surgery.
Is Recovery Any Different?
Recovery from cataract surgery is typically the same, whether or not you’ve had LASIK. You’ll receive a sedative during the procedure and go home afterward. Your doctor may give you drops to use at home and schedule a few follow-up visits to track healing.
Most patients return to light activity within a few days. Your vision may improve quickly, but some people experience a more gradual change.
Even if you’ve had LASIK, you’ll likely recover from cataract surgery with the same speed and ease as anyone else.
Timing Your Surgery
You don’t have to wait until your vision becomes severely impaired. If cataracts are beginning to affect your daily life, talk to your doctor about moving forward.
Waiting too long can make the cloudy lens harder to remove. That’s why it helps to bring up any new vision changes sooner rather than later, especially if you have a history of LASIK or other procedures.
Even if you’re not ready for surgery today, your doctor can start monitoring the cataract and guide you through the decision-making process over time.
Talk to Your Doctor About Your LASIK History
If you’re experiencing cloudy vision, difficulty seeing at night, or increased glare sensitivity, these may be signs of cataracts. And if you’ve had LASIK, your doctor will take that into account.
Let them know about your full eye history. Bring any records if you have them. And don’t hesitate to ask questions, especially if you’re unsure about what surgery involves or how your vision might change.
It’s also a good time to talk about your vision goals. Whether you want to reduce your use of glasses or you just want to feel safer while driving at night, your eye doctor can help you find the best path forward.
Ready to take the next step toward a clearer vision? Schedule a consultation with SuraVision today to discuss your options and learn more about LASIK and Cataract Surgery. Call us at 713-730-2020 or book your appointment online!