Is Cataract Surgery or lens replacement with trifocal lenses possible after LASIK?
Many of us who don’t have 20/20 vision decide to have LASIK eye treatment so we can throw out our glasses and contact lenses for good, simplify our lives and enjoy everything from sport to cross-stitch and even sky-diving with zero hassle.
With more than 20 years of experience and research LASIK is safer than it has ever been, and many of our patients who have worried about the procedure in the past now book in for treatment with confidence.
A highly sophisticated, ultraviolet laser is used to reshape the cornea and correct a wide range of eye conditions including short-sightedness, long-sightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia (long-sightedness caused by a loss of elasticity in the eye lens). So it is no surprise that LASIK procedures have surged in popularity in the last two decades.
But despite LASIK’s fantastic results and so many happy patients passing through Centre for Sight’s doors, unfortunately as we age, the lens in the eye becomes harder and we lose the ability to read without reading glasses. Eventually the lens becomes harder still and cloudy along with poor vision causing cataracts. We have been asked by a lot of patients about whether or not they can have cataract surgery post-LASIK treatment – so we thought we’d address your FAQs here.
Can you have Cataract surgery after LASIK?
The answer is quite simply: yes, you can. While LASIK treats the cornea, cataract surgery treats and replaces the lens within the eye. Translation: one will not prevent the other from being possible. Additionally high performance trifocal lenses can be used to correct vision at all distances.
Patients often book in for consultations despite their previous eye-treatment history.Providing you are found to be a good match for treatment after the standard tests, Centre for Sight is thrilled to help restore your vision and make your future look a lot brighter.
Laser cataract surgery has evolved massively over the last 50 years and is now far more predictable and safer than ever before. And it’s the introduction of lasers that’s been a huge factor in making the procedure more successful, more often
Cataract symptoms can vary but often begin with the following warning signs:
- Blurred vision
- Poor night vision
- Glare (particularly at night)
- Frequent changes in your glasses or contact-lens prescription reduced colour intensity
- A yellowing of colours
- Double vision (although this symptom is rare)
Once a patient is found suitable for laser cataract treatment or lens replacement, a consultant will determine which intraocular lens (IOL) would suit them best. Whether suitable for trifocal or monofocal lenses, both boost patients’ overall vision meaning they can wear their glasses far less often or, best-case scenario, throw them away entirely. The challenge is measuring the lens power required correctly.
Types of Lenses
Conventional methods assume the cornea has not been lasered. There are methods of more reliably measuring the correct lens power using sophisticated imaging of the cornea combined with sophisticated calculation formulas.
At Centre for Sight two to three patients who have had previous laser eye surgery are treated each week with exceptional and predictable outcomes. Evaluation of the cornea for suitability of for instance trifocal lenses along with accurate lens calculation is an “art-form” and we are proud to have an excellent track record.
Monofocal lenses offer one point of clear focus, usually distance vision, for things like driving and watching TV. This means you’ll probably need glasses for close-up activities like reading, cooking and texting.
Trifocal lenses on the other hand enable you to focus on objects at different distances simultaneously. While this type of lens doesn’t suit everyone’s eyes, they can provide near, intermediate and distance vision through one lens and – you guessed it – without the need for glasses.
The technology and advancements behind premium high performance implants has meant vision correction can be obtained at the same time without the need for corrective glasses!
“No glasses!! Brilliant experience, excellent results.”
Mrs Brooks
Centre for Sight Cataract Patient
These sentiments are ones that our surgeons and team at Centre for Sight are proud to echo. We are dedicated to enhancing your vision now and every single day of your future.
Centre for Sight takes pride in ensuring a high standard is given when treating vision correction.
Author Information
Authored by Sheraz Daya MD FACP FACS FRCS(Ed) FRCOphth, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon & Medical Director, June 2019.
Next review due June 2020.