Glasses after Cataract Surgery

Question: I have a question about needing glasses after cataract surgery as I had LASIK some time ago. Like many others I have had LASIK Surgery, 13 years ago. I now require cataract surgery and was told that I may need to wear glasses. What percentage of LASIK patients require glasses after surgery? Also just how limited is their vision.

Answer: Having had LASIK does make taking the measurements for and the calculations for Lens Implants a bit more complicated. However, today there is excellent technology and nomograms for both greatly increasing the precision and accuracy of Lens Implants after Cataract Surgery even for patients who have LASIK or other corneal surgery. It would be helpful if you had or could obtain your records or measurements from your LASIK consultation as some of these measurements are useful.

All patients having Cataract Surgery do need to understand that unless they have a multifocal lens implant or accommodating lens implant of some type or they opt for monovision Cataract Surgery they will need to ear reading glasses or bifocals in order to see things at arm’s length or up close-this is the case whether you have had LASIK or not. Now-there may be limitations your Cataract Surgeon has on whether you can have a multifocal lens implant, an accommodating lens implant or monovision Cataract Surgery as many cataract Surgeons will only use an accommodating lens implant or monovision for prior LASIK patients.

This really depends on your situation. Your best next step is to explore all three options with a top Cataract Surgeon who is also a top LASIK Surgeon to be sure you are hearing all the possibilities and have access to the most advanced measurement technology for your Lens Implant selection. Once you have this information you may be pleasantly surprised that you may come very close to remaining free of glasses.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery of Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.