It’s not hard to get confused and frustrated when researching modern methods for correcting your eyesight. Patients who are new to ophthalmology generally have many questions and concerns about the many surgical and therapeutic options available.
Many people, for instance, don’t know the difference between eye surgery LASIK and that of cataract. In particular, patients who have cataracts frequently enquire as to whether or not LASIK eye surgery would be an effective means of restoring their eyesight.
In all honesty, I can see why this is happening. The effects of eye surgeries with LASIK and cataract are very similar. Both methods are effective in improving eyesight, although they operate independently of one another.
If you have any concerns about the relative merits of LASIK eye surgery and cataract surgery, Personal Eyes Lasik Center is here to help.
What Really is Cataract Laser Surgery?
Let’s begin our comparison of cataract and LASIK eye surgery by discussing the first. The purpose of the operation is to treat cataracts. They result from a discoloration of the lens of the eye, which is normally transparent. The hazy lenses make it feel like you’re attempting to see through a foggy or frosty window.
Cataracts can also cause partial night blindness and make it difficult to drive, read, and perceive facial expressions.
As cataracts increase gradually over time, it’s preferable to begin cataract prevention early on, before the issue becomes too challenging to treat. Initially, aids like eyeglasses and brighter lighting can help, but eventually, only cataract surgery will do the trick.
Our specialists at Personal Eyes will first diagnose the root of your vision issues before proceeding with the operation. We then use cutting-edge technology to create a map of your eye. Your cataract issue will be diagnosed, and surgery will begin shortly after.
The surgeon will use a laser to create a tiny incision in the cornea, through which he or she will insert a probe that uses ultrasonic energy to shatter the cataract-damaged lens into manageable fragments. A new artificial lens will be implanted after that.
Multifocal artificial lenses provide sharp focus for both nearby and distant objects. As a result, you won’t require glasses or contacts after the operation.
The lenses are designed so that the retina can adjust its focus from near to far. In a nutshell, multifocal lenses are a type of corrective lens that can be used in place of regular glasses or contacts to restore normal vision.
LASIK
It’s time to weigh in on the cataract vs LASIK eye surgery argument, so let’s talk about the eye surgery of LASIK for a minute.
When it comes to laser eye treatment for correcting eyesight, LASIK eye surgery is by far the most popular and well-known option. For most people, this is preferable to the use of conventional vision correction methods such as contact lenses or glasses.
Both eye surgery involving LASIK and cataract surgery use a cutting laser eye treatment, so their differences may seem negligible at first.
Contrarily, eye surgery with LASIK attempts to alter the cornea’s natural contours (the clear tissue in the front of the eye). By changing its form, vision is enhanced.
In a healthy eye, the cornea precisely refracts (bends) the light onto the retina at the back of the eye. However, when the cornea is unable to bend precisely, as in cases of far- and nearsightedness or astigmatism, blurred vision results.
When Exactly Does One Undergo LASIK Surgery?
The fact that LASIK eye surgery can assist address three different types of vision impairments is crucial information to have in the discussion between LASIK surgery and cataract surgery
If your eyeball is shorter than usual, the cornea is too flat, and the light rays can’t focus on the retina. This is known as farsightedness. Instead, it’s located behind it, obscuring nearby objects.
Light rays focus much too far in front of the retina, leading to nearsightedness, when either the cornea is abnormally curved or the eyeball is slightly longer than average. Because of this, it becomes difficult to focus on objects in the distance.
The cornea has an irregular shape, known as astigmatism. As a result of this disease, one’s ability to see either far away or up-close may be compromised.
In addition, it is crucial to be aware that eye surgery using LASIK can cause some nerves of the cornea to be severed, which can result in decreased tear production.
Differences Between Cataract Surgery and LASIK Eye Surgery
As you can see, the purpose of the eye surgery using LASIK is to alter the cornea’s shape and hence the eye’s ability to focus light on the retina.
Conversely, cataract surgery is a targeted treatment applied by ophthalmologists to the eye’s lens when the natural lens gets hazy from cataracts. The treatment entails the removal of the clouded lenses, their dissection, and the insertion of prosthetic lenses.
There are, however, other areas in which LASIK eye surgery stands apart from cataract surgery. Unlike cataract surgery, which is often conducted in two separate sessions, LASIK eye treatment or surgery can be performed on both eyes in a single session (one eye at a time).
In addition, insurance will typically cover basic cataract surgery but not the vision correction of LASIK (although the latter can be paid for with an FSA).
Cataract surgery add-ons are, of course, not covered by insurance and must be paid for privately. Premium IOL and other cutting-edge techniques can significantly raise the price of cataract surgery.
Similarities between LASIK Surgery and Cataract Surgery
To begin, lasers are essential to each of these processes.
All-laser LASIK involves the use of two lasers, one for each eye. They utilise a femtosecond laser to cut a flap in the cornea, and then an excimer laser to alter the cornea’s contours.
Cataract surgery involves the use of a single laser (femtosecond) to remove the cloudy lens from the affected eye.
When contrasting cataract surgery and LASIK eye surgery, the results matter the most. Both procedures routinely result in 20/20 or greater vision for their patients. A total of 15 minutes is all that is needed to complete any operation. Both eye surgery with LASIK and cataract surgeries typically take place while patients are conscious (under local anesthesia).
Because of the minimal downtime associated with both procedures, you can get back to your regular routine practically immediately after either operation.
Should You Choose Surgery with LASIK or Cataract Surgery?
Cataract surgery and LASIK eye surgery can be done on the same eye since they both alter the cornea.
Cataract surgery is typically performed on older patients whose natural lens has clouded over, whereas LASIK eye surgery is typically performed on younger patients.
Do you use them interchangeably or together? Somewhat, yes. Even with an artificial lens in place, some patients still experience vision issues after undergoing cataract surgery. The residual defocus is then treated with laser refractive surgery (usually PRK).
As medical technology improves, fortunately, incidents like these will become increasingly uncommon.
Lastly
If you are having any question or inquiry about how to have a correct vision, Laser eye surgery, Corneal tissue problems, Lasik surgery, laser beam in healing process, excimer laser usage, refractive eye surgery, laser treatment, laser suite, contact sports, the surgical procedure for refractive surgery or Lasik laser eye surgery – you should get in touch with us via our Personal Eyes website to book your free assessment today.
Personal Eyes is Right Here If You Need Help
Truth be told, there are no right or wrong answers to this procedure. Consider the factors outlined in this blog post, weigh the pros and cons, and most importantly, consult with an eye surgeon or consult with us at Personal Eyes before making the final decision.