Can You Have LASIK After Cataract Surgery?

LASIK surgery can be performed 3-6 months after cataract surgery, however, it may not be necessary. Modern cataract surgery can help to reduce a person’s need for glasses. In fact, depending on the intraocular lens that you choose to have implanted in your eye during cataract surgery, you might even eliminate the need for glasses. 

During cataract surgery in Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, and Portsmouth, Our Doctors can also correct your nearsightedness, farsightedness and/or astigmatism with the use of a premium intraocular lens (IOL) customized to correct your specific refractive errors and reduce or eliminate your need for eyeglasses after surgery. There are even multifocal IOLs that can correct near vision problems caused by presbyopia, reducing your need for reading glasses, too.

This advanced type of cataract surgery is sometimes called refractive cataract surgery. Sometimes, minor refractive errors still remain after refractive cataract surgery. If so, traditional refractive surgery such as LASIK or PRK often can be performed several weeks or a few months later to further improve eyesight.

Cataracts are a protein build-up on the natural lens behind the iris. Ordinary cataract surgery involves a blade (or a laser) being used to make a small incision in the cornea. Ultrasound technology is then used to break up the lens and the pieces are then siphoned out of the eye. The IOL (chosen for your specific prescription if it’s refractive cataract surgery) is inserted into the eye to replace the natural lens. 

LASIK performed on its own is a laser surgery that reshapes the cornea of the eye to correct refractive errors. It can address nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. It is a quick and easy procedure that can introduce a lot of convenience and freedom into a person’s life by reducing their dependence on glasses and contacts.

Of course, if you choose to have cataract surgery done and save LASIK for some time after, there is no harm in doing them separately. Contact Tidewater Eye at 757-483-0400 or website to learn more about these procedures that can help you achieve precise vision.