LASIK and Cataract Surgery are both performed to improve vision, but they are different surgeries that address different types of eye concerns.
- Cataracts cloud the vision, affecting the lens of the eye. Cataracts are caused by the breakdown of proteins in the eye.
- LASIK surgery addresses vision concerns caused by the shape of the cornea. LASIK surgery reshapes the cornea to correct the way the light hits the retina.
Let’s take a closer look at how the differences in these surgeries.
Cataract Surgery
What does it address?
A cataract affects the lens of the eye, slowing changing the lens and inhibiting light from properly entering the eye. This causes cloudiness and impairs the vision slowly over time. Cataracts are painless, but the cloudiness can be seen in the eyes and, if left untreated, can lead to blindness.
Cataract surgery has a 99% success rate and can be performed on those who have had LASIK or other eye surgeries in the past to correct their vision.
What happens during cataract surgery?
This procedure takes an hour or less. Eyedrops are placed in the eyes to dilate the pupils. Local anesthetic is used to numb the area.
Once the anesthesia has taken effect, the clouded lens is removed and replaced with a clear, artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). The most advanced IOL is a Multifocal Implant that has multiple focal points. This provides distance vision, near vision, and intermediate vision, resulting in the best visual outcome. Many patients find that their vision is better than it was before they got cataracts in the first place.
Surgical techniques include the following:
- Ultrasound probe: A tiny incision is made in the cornea at the front of your eye. A needle-thin probe is inserted, which transmits ultrasound waves. These waves break up the cataract, and the fragments are gently suctioned out. The artificial lens is then inserted.
- Extracapsular cataract extraction: This technique is less common but may be performed if there are certain eye complications. An incision is made in the eye, and the lens is removed in one piece. An artificial lens is then inserted.
LASIK
What does it address?
LASIK corrects myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism (a vision condition that distorts images). These vision conditions are caused by an irregularly shaped cornea. A steep cornea causes myopia, a flat cornea causes hyperopia, and a football-shaped cornea causes astigmatism.
LASIK eye surgery reshapes the cornea with a laser.
What happens during LASIK surgery?
The surgery is short, lasting less than one hour. Your eye will be numbed with anesthetic drops, and a suction ring will be placed over the eye to prevent movement. You will feel some pressure, and your vision will go black or dim.
Next, a laser is used to cut a thin flap of the cornea and fold it back. You will look at a pinpoint of light as a laser is used to reshape the cornea to restore your vision. Once your cornea has been reshaped, the flap will be replaced. It will self-heal, requiring no stitches. There is a short recovery period of a couple of days, after which your vision is restored, and you’ll have no further need for glasses.
New York Laser Vision
At New York Laser Vision, Dr. Giyaur provides the best treatments for her patients, depending on their needs. Dr. Giyaur takes the time to listen to her patients and understand their concerns, their visual needs, and goals. Regardless of what the right treatment is for each patient, she provides information about their options, the details of the procedure she recommends to them, and what they can expect during every part of the process.
We want you to feel confident and certain about your eye surgery. Our team puts the needs of our patients first and provides the safest, most advanced, and modern treatments and techniques available. We look forward to helping our patients experience a better quality of life with clear, bright vision. To learn more about how we can help with LASIK or cataract surgery, we invite you to schedule a consultation today.
