Laser eye surgery and cataract surgery are two popular procedures used to correct eye problems. Cataract surgery involves removing cataracts, which can occur for different reasons, including age, trauma, and radiation. LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is a popular type of laser eye surgery. Cataract surgeries can also use laser technology, so the two procedures share some things but remain different. Here’s an overview of the two surgeries and their differences:
What Is Cataract Surgery?
Cataract surgery is the procedure your ophthalmologist will recommend when you have a cataract in the eye. A cataract is a form of eye clouding that occurs on the lens, causing blurry vision, glares, and difficulty reading. Anyone can develop cataracts, but the condition mostly affects older people. Cataract surgery has three main steps.
The first step is preparing the eye. This is done by applying an eyedrop to dilate the pupil and then using a local anesthetic. The surgeon will then make a small incision to remove the cloudy lens. The final step of the procedure is replacing your cloudy lens with an intraocular lens (IOL). An IOL is an artificial lens with similar properties to your natural lens. Your ophthalmologist may remove the cloudy lens in one piece through the incision or break it up using an ultrasound probe.
What Is Laser Eye Surgery?
Laser eye surgery is used to improve your vision, with LASIK being the most common type. Your ophthalmologist can use LASIK to help you get off contact lenses, reading glasses, and distance glasses. Laser surgeries can reshape the cornea’s surface to correct vision problems like myopia (near/short-sightedness) and hyperopia (far-sightedness). The procedure may also correct astigmatism and presbyopia.
In most laser eye surgeries, including LASIK, ophthalmologists create a thin layer (flap) on the cornea. The surgeon lifts the flap off and uses a laser to sculpt the cornea’s surface to correct refractive errors. The flap is then lowered and can begin the healing process.
How Do They Compare?
Cataract surgery and LASIK have many similarities. They can both involve lasers for vision correction. The two surgeries also involve local anesthesia, so you’ll be awake throughout the procedure. The surgeries usually only take a short time to complete and often have a minimal recovery time.
Cataract and laser eye surgeries have different steps, equipment, and outcomes. Below are two key differences:
1. They Correct Different Conditions
Cataract surgery and laser eye surgeries correct different issues. Laser surgeries like LASIK reshape the cornea to correct how light is focused on the retina. The procedure can treat various eye conditions, including myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia. Cataract surgery removes cloudy eye lenses (cataracts). Laser eye surgeries are generally performed on both eyes in the same session. Cataract surgery typically involves one eye at a time and isn’t always for both eyes.
Ophthalmologists recommend laser eye surgeries if contact lenses or glasses are inconvenient. You can also use the surgery to avoid swapping between distance and reading glasses. Infections, intolerance, and discomfort are additional reasons to consider laser surgery. Cataract surgery is recommended for cloudy and blurred vision that doesn’t improve with glasses. Lens surgery may also be suggested if you struggle to see, have double vision, or experience gradual fading of colors.
2. They Target Different Parts
Cataract and laser eye surgeries target different parts of they eye. A cataract forms on the lens, so the surgery is primarily focused on replacing the cloudy lens with artificial intraocular lenses to improve vision. Most cataract surgeries involve breaking down the lens material using ultrasound and removing it in bits. Some cases require removing all the lens material in one piece.
Laser eye surgeries don’t involve the lens. Procedures like LASIK involve reshaping the cornea, which is the transparent part of the eye covering the iris and pupil. Since they target different parts of the eye, cataract and laser eye surgeries also require unique tools and devices.
Consider Professional Laser Eye Surgery
If you have vision problems or use glasses and contact lenses, surgery may provide relief. Many eye conditions are treatable if you address them early and with a professional. Your ophthalmologist can complete an assessment and review your medical history to determine if you’re a good candidate. The session also involves discussing your needs and answering all of your eye surgery questions and concerns. Choose an experienced ophthalmologist for laser eye surgery and cataract surgery.
