How LASIK Can Fine Tune Your Vision After Cataract Surgery

Can you have LASIK after cataract surgery? The short answer is yes. However, it’s likely that you’ll not need it. 

Read on to find out why and what your options are if you do experience breakthrough refractive issues. 

Will My Vision be 20/20 After My Cataract Surgery? 

Getting better eyesight after years of needing glasses or contacts, followed by years of struggling with the cloudy vision the cataract caused, is the remarkable fringe benefit of modern cataract surgery. 

However, achieving “perfect” 20/20 vision after cataract surgery is not a guarantee. Some patients may still need corrective eyewear to see clearly after their procedure. That said, your eye surgeon can provide options that can result in the crisp vision you deserve after cataract surgery.

Continuous Vision Intraocular Lens Implants 

When a cataract is removed, your eye’s natural lens is replaced with a permanent, artificial intraocular lens (IOL) implant. At NeoVision Eye Center, we offer high-quality continuous vision intraocular lens implants that allow patients to rely less on corrective eyewear. Advanced IOLs allow patients to see clearly at near, intermediate, and far-away distances, as well as points in between. Some IOLs even correct age-related farsightedness, eliminating the need for reading glasses.

Prior to surgery, your eye surgeon will determine the best IOL for your current vision prescription to provide you with the best vision possible after laser cataract surgery.

Can My Vision Change After Cataract Surgery?

While surgery is the only permanent solution to vision loss caused by cataract development, there are some circumstances that may affect your vision after the procedure.

IOL Adjustment Period

Most patients adjust to the new artificial lens right away, but some may experience a gradual improvement in their vision during the weeks following cataract surgery. This is one of the many reasons follow-up visits are an essential part of your recovery process. Every patient’s healing process is different but in general, people experience full recovery within four to six weeks following cataract surgery.

Breakthrough Refractive Errors

Cataracts do not grow back. As far as cataract-associated vision loss, cataract surgery is once and done. However, there is a small fraction of patients whose surgeries may not fully correct refractive errors. For these individuals, glasses, contact lenses, and LASIK (laser in-situ keratomileusis) eye surgery are viable options. However, a second eye surgery should wait until after the IOL adjustment period. 

LASIK Tune Up 

With a success rate of about 99%, it’s clear that the vast majority of patients experience positive results after cataract surgery. On some occasions, however, patients may benefit from a LASIK ‘tune-up’ or enhancement after having cataracts removed. LASIK laser eye surgery may be performed three months post cataract surgery to address any remaining refractive errors. This tune-up will require an additional, short recovery time. 

Who is a Candidate?

Similar to the screening for cataract surgery, the success and optimum recovery from LASIK depend on a number of variables. As certain health conditions may increase the likelihood of infection, or impair the healing process, patients must be in good overall health to qualify for the procedure. 

In addition to good health, there are a few other prohibitive factors, including an unstable lens prescription, meaning that your vision is fluctuating or changing. This can be caused by a number of things including, hormone changes, or other eye or health conditions. 

Anytime You Experience a Change in Vision, Get It Checked

If you recently had cataract surgery, your ophthalmologist will monitor your vision and recovery at follow-up appointments. If you experience any vision changes or loss after cataract surgery, contact your eye specialist for an exam to determine the cause and treatment. 

At NeoVision Eye Center we pride ourselves on providing the highest quality care to all of our Union City patients. Everyone’s journey towards vision correction will be unique, and our entire team is here to offer the personalized care you deserve.

Take the first step towards better vision this year by scheduling a free LASIK consultation today.