Are Cataract Surgery and LASIK Surgery the Same Thing?

LASIK surgery and cataract surgery are NOT the same thing. They are two procedures with the same goal of improving vision, but they correct two different problems.  

Cataract – A cataract is simply a clouding of the natural lens inside the eye. The lens maintains a delicate balance between water and protein so that we can see clearly through it. When the proteins clump together, the resulting cataract blocks some of the light entering the eye, making vision blurry or hazy. Once the cataract begins to interfere with daily tasks such as reading and driving, cataract surgery is the only viable treatment option.

During cataract surgery in Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, or Portsmouth, Our Doctors remove the cloudy natural lens from the eye and replaces it with an intraocular lens (IOL), which remains permanently in place of the removed natural lens. The IOL compensates for the magnification that the old lens provided. 

LASIK – LASIK is a type of refractive surgery that improves vision by reshaping the corneal tissue of the eye with a laser. The front surface (cornea) of the eye and lens inside the eye form the eye’s focusing system and are primarily responsible for focusing incoming light rays onto the surface of the retina, much like the lenses of a camera focus light onto the film. In a perfect optical system, the power of the cornea and lens are perfectly matched with the length of the eye and images are in focus; any mismatch in this system is called a refractive error, and the result is a blurred image at some location.

Both cataract surgery and LASIK surgery are outpatient procedures and require minimal downtime. With proper rest and avoidance of any strenuous activities, recovery is usually just a matter of days, and most patients experience only minor discomfort. You will be required to wear an eye shield following either procedure, and will need to use eye drops as instructed by Our Doctors. Several follow up appointments will be required to ensure the eye is healing properly and initial results are sustained.

An eye exam is the best way to determine if you would benefit from cataract surgery or LASIK surgery. If you are experiencing less than perfect vision, contact Tidewater Eye today at 757-483-0400 or website to schedule an examination and consultation.