Many people who have undergone LASIK eye surgery to correct their vision in their younger years wonder if they can still have cataract surgery later in life. The answer is YES!! What many people do not know is that you can have LASIK even after cataract surgery if you have a residual correction that needs refined.
Understanding the Difference:
LASIK Surgery: This procedure reshapes the cornea, the clear dome at the front of the eye, to improve your ability to focus light and achieve clearer vision.
Cataract Surgery: This procedure replaces the clouded natural lens of the eye, located behind the iris, with a clear artificial lens, restoring vision clarity.
Cataract Surgery for Non-LASIK Patients:
For those who haven’t had LASIK, cataract surgery usually offers a straightforward and predictable outcome. The implanted lens can often replace the need for distance vision glasses, though reading glasses may still be required.
Cataract Surgery After LASIK:
Even with LASIK history, modern technology allows for precise eye measurements to ensure you have a successful cataract surgery. It can effectively address vision concerns even for individuals who have undergone LASIK previously. While complete LASIK records are ideal for optimal lens selection, alternative approaches are available to achieve a successful outcome.
Seeking Professional Advice:
If you have further questions about LASIK, cataracts, or your individual eligibility for either surgery, consult a qualified eye care professional. They can assess your specific situation and provide personalized guidance.
LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is a popular vision correction procedure that uses lasers to reshape the cornea, improving vision for those with nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. While LASIK offers the promise of clearer vision without glasses or contact lenses, understanding the LASIK recovery time and potential side effects is crucial for making informed decisions.
Here’s a breakdown of what to expect after LASIK eye surgery:
First few hours after treatment:
Temporary eye discomfort: You may experience some initial eye discomfort, such as a tingly sensation or slight dryness.
Increased tear production: Your eyes might produce more tears initially to aid healing and lubrication.
Temporary light sensitivity: You may be temporarily more sensitive to light, similar to having an adjusted camera lens.
Your doctor will provide eye drops to manage discomfort and a protective shield for overnight wear. Best thing to do? Try and get some rest right after treatment.
24-48 Hours:
Schedule a quick follow-up visit with your eye doctor to ensure your eyes stay healthy and comfortable. During the appointment, they’ll perform a routine vision assessment and discuss any adjustments to your eye care routine, like potentially prescribing new eye drops or recommending artificial tears for additional comfort. You’ll be able to resume your normal activities right away, but it’s best to avoid strenuous exercise for 1-3 days to allow your eyes to fully recover.
1-3 Weeks:
Temporary vision adjustments: You may experience some temporary changes in your vision, such as slight blurring or fluctuations, as your eyes heal. This has been reported to be similar to an old glasses or contact lens prescription.
Light sensitivity: You might notice some initial light sensitivity, which is normal and usually subsides quickly.
Up to 3 to 6 Months:
Expect your vision to steadily improve over the next few months, with many people achieving clear and stable vision around 3 to 6 months.Regular check-ins with your eye doctor will help them track your progress and address any questions or concerns you may have along the way.
Factors Affecting LASIK Recovery Time:
Flap dislocation: A rare complication where the corneal flap created during LASIK moves from its position. It requires immediate medical attention and can prolong recovery.
Dry eye: The most common side effect, causing irritation and discomfort. Symptoms usually subside within a month, but can persist in some cases.
Infections: Extremely rare, but following post-operative care instructions strictly minimizes the risk.
Tips for a Smooth LASIK Recovery:
Follow your doctor’s instructions meticulously.
Avoid lotions, creams, and makeup around the eye for 2 weeks, or as directed by your doctor.
Continue eyelash hygiene as instructed.
Refrain from swimming, hot tubs, and strenuous activities for the recommended period.
Protect your eyes from getting hit or rubbed, especially in the first few weeks.
Use artificial tears to keep your eyes lubricated.
Remember, LASIK recovery is a process, not an event. While most people experience significant vision improvement quickly, complete healing and stabilization can take up to 3 to 6 months. Consulting a qualified LASIK care expert and adhering to post-operative care guidelines are crucial for a successful LASIK experience.
LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) has revolutionized vision correction, providing a minimally invasive alternative to glasses and contact lenses. As of 2018, over 9.5 million Americans have undergone LASIK surgery due to its convenience, good results, and high success rate.
In fact, one study reports that LASIK has an impressive patient success rate between 96-98%! Research indicates LASIK enables:
99% of patients to achieve 20/40 vision or better
90% of patients to achieve ideal 20/20 vision
50% of patients to gain better than 20/20 vision
Driving Factors Behind LASIK’s High Success Rates
Several factors account for why LASIK is so successful, including:
Advanced laser systems
Precision techniques
Experienced surgeons.
Additionally, the vast majority of procedures are performed by specially trained ophthalmologists and optometrists with years of surgical experience. Their expertise contributes greatly to LASIK’s impressive outcomes.
Understanding LASIK’s Low Complication Rates
In addition to excellent success rates, LASIK eye surgery has been determined to have minimal risks or side effects. Current estimates place the complication rate at less than 1%
While the first days may involve mild irritation and light sensitivity, long-term issues like dry eye or halos are uncommon. When they do occur, symptoms often resolve within 3-6 months.
The most serious complications involve the corneal flap created during surgery. However, with precise laser tools and skilled surgeons, flap issues and related optical problems are very rare.
Affordability May Be the Only Barrier for Some Patients
Given the outstanding safety and success of modern LASIK techniques, affordability remains one of the biggest barriers limiting access for patients. While prices vary, custom options with advanced technology may cost more than standard treatment.
For those concerned about cost, flexible spending accounts, health savings account, insurance and financing options can make LASIK more affordable. The proven results and life-changing conveniences make it well worth the investment for most people. Check out the ongoing expense of glasses and contacts.
Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, Vol. 42, Issue 8, August 2016, Pages 1224-1234
Sugar A, Hood C, Mian S. Patient-reported outcomes following LASIK: quality of Life in the PROWL Studies. JAMA. 2017;317(2):204–205. doi: 10.1001/jama.2016.19323
Hays RD, Tarver ME, Spritzer KL, et al. Assessment of the Psychometric Properties of a Questionnaire Assessing Patient-Reported Outcomes With Laser In Situ Keratomileusis (PROWL). JAMA Ophthalmol. 2017;135(1):3–12. doi: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2016.4597
Preparing for your first LASIK visit, or thinking about scheduling a consultation? Before you head to your local LASIK center, it’s important to consider any questions you might have about laser vision correction. Ahead, we’ll cover five questions that everyone should ask when visiting their LASIK doctor.
How many LASIK surgeries have you performed?
This is the perfect place to start when getting to know your LASIK surgeon. While a low number of surgeries don’t necessarily speak poorly of a provider, many people prefer to work with a more experienced surgeon. No matter your preference, it’s always a good idea to learn about your surgeon’s experience level.
What laser technology do you use?
LASIK technology is always evolving, including the lasers used to perform the procedure. In addition to standard laser vision correction, your provider may offer options like Bladeless LASIK, Custom LASIK, and Topography-Guided LASIK. Each comes with its own benefits, and your provider will help decide which is right for you.
What determines my LASIK candidacy?
The first thing to know is that if you’re healthy and over the age of 18, you’ve already checked two of the biggest boxes. However, each LASIK candidacy is evaluated individually, and it’s important to understand exactly how your candidacy is determined.
LASIK is a quick procedure – just 15 minutes, total – and is performed on an outpatient basis at your LASIK center. You likely have more questions about the LASIK procedure and your LASIK doctor is the perfect person to ask for more information.
What can I expect after my LASIK surgery?
While LASIK is known to deliver consistent results, everyone heals individually. If you want to understand more about what the recovery period is like, how long it takes, and how soon you’ll notice improved vision, ask your LASIK surgeon for details. Online research may provide an outline, but only your surgeon can give an individualized answer based on your prescription and personalized laser eye surgery treatment plan.
These are some of the most common LASIK questions, but there are all sorts of small details that you may want to ask about during your visit. Remember that there is no such thing as a silly question! Before your visit, set aside some time to make a list of your key questions. Your LASIK surgeon will be happy to provide answers, tailored to your individual case.
Many LASIK eye surgery candidates question if they need to continue seeing an eye doctor after they have their procedure. After all, you could have 20/20 vision or better after surgery, which means there’s no point in getting regular eye exams, right? Wrong. Even after LASIK surgery it is important to get a comprehensive eye exam at least every one to two years. In these exams, eye doctors do more than just check your prescription and prescribe contacts or eyeglasses, so it is necessary to keep up with them even after your LASIK procedure.
Your doctor will also check your overall eye health and for a multitude of potential problems such as: early signs of eye disease, focusing issues, refractive errors associated with age, and eye teaming problems or making sure your eyes work together and are properly aligned.
Since most people take their vision and visual health for granted and usually don’t notice that something is wrong until there is a bigger problem, it is essential to keep up with routine eye exams after LASIK eye surgery. This way, your eye doctor can detect any eye problems early on so that they can be remedied as soon as possible. Some people will also experience dry eyes and discomfort from allergies, and an eye doctor can prescribe eye drops to relieve these symptoms so you can enjoy the benefits of your LASIK surgery to the fullest.
LASIK Eye Surgery: A Lifetime Commitment
By choosing to have LASIK surgery, you’ve already decided to live life with better vision, and annual visits to your eye doctor will help you enjoy those benefits for years to come. At TLC Laser Eye Centers, the TLC Lifetime Commitment® helps patients maintain the best possible vision throughout their lives by offering LASIK enhancements to eligible candidates. One of the main conditions of this program is to complete an annual eye exam with your TLC-affiliated eye doctor, making it even more important to continue with regular eye exams after LASIK eye surgery.
It is always important to consult with your eye doctor for the best exam schedule after LASIK eye surgery based on your personal eye health. Attending these appointments is the best way to make sure you can benefit from a lifetime of better vision.
Presbyopia is different from other vision problems because it affects everyone, eventually. Our eyes change as we age, and those changes eventually make it more difficult to focus on close objects. Reading can be especially challenging, and presbyopia is the main reason that most people over 45 years of age require reading glasses for up-close vision. LASIK eye surgery centers offer a number of popular options for treating presbyopia, and taking the strain out of close vision.
When you are a child and a young adult, the lenses in your eyes have great flexibility, which makes it easier to adjust your focus for viewing close objects. Over time, your lenses begin to become more rigid, making it more difficult to focus. Most people will begin to feel symptoms of presbyopia around age 40, though the severity varies from person to person.
One of the first signs of presbyopia is strain while reading. You may find that you have to hold objects farther away than you would have in the past, in order to achieve the same level of focus.
Headaches are a common symptom, especially if you do a lot of reading for work or leisure. This is true whether you are reading from a screen, or a sheet of paper.
The effects of presbyopia grow more severe over time, and most people will have lost significant lens flexibility by age 65.
Since presbyopia happens gradually over time, it’s not always as easy to notice as other vision problems.
LASIK Eye Surgery Options for Treating Presbyopia
Reading glasses are a common option for addressing presbyopia, but they’re not a fit for everyone. Your work may make glasses impractical, or you may simply want a solution that’s less cumbersome. A number of vision correction options have proven effective for the task, and there is even a special tool for the job.
Monovision LASIK
Monovision LASIK is a solution for people with presbyopia. With monovision, one eye is corrected for far sight, and one is corrected for close sight.
The result is similar to what you would get from wearing bifocal glasses. Your eye doctor or LASIK specialist can help you simulate the effects of monovision, to see if it’s the right choice for you.
Presbyopia may affect everyone, but it doesn’t have to mean wearing reading glasses for the rest of your life. Contact a TLC laser eye surgery specialist to discuss your options for vision correction surgery.
For many people with vision problems, glasses and contact lenses, are simply a part of life. In fact, a recent poll indicates that many people who wear glasses or contacts to deal with vision problems either aren’t aware of LASIK eye surgery, or aren’t familiar with how the laser eye surgery process works. While the right vision care solution for you ultimately comes down to individual factors, now is a great time to consider the benefits of LASIK vision correction.
Dealing with Vision Problems? Why You Should Consider LASIK Eye Surgery
The LASIK vision correction process begins when you schedule your free consultation, and meet with your local laser eye surgery team. Your consultation is the time to learn more about laser eye surgery options available, what the best options are for your individual vision needs, and to get answers to all your questions. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn the facts about what LASIK eye surgery is like, and how the process works.
LASIK is an outpatient procedure, so you get to go home the same day. The surgery only takes around 15 minutes, for both eyes.
The procedure is so brief in part because much of the prep work is done before-hand, when you meet with your laser eye surgery team.
From pre-op planning to post-op checkups, the whole laser eye surgery process takes place at your local LASIK center.
If you’re in good overall health, have had a steady vision prescription for at least one year, and are over 18 years of age, then your laser eye surgery candidacy is already off to a great start.
The Lifestyle Benefits of LASIK Vision Correction
Ask a LASIK patient about the benefits of having laser eye surgery, and you’ll find some common themes, along with the unique, personal ways that each individual enjoys clear vision. Freedom is a very common word when you hear people talk about LASIK results, whether that means the freedom to rekindle an interest in a favorite hobby, or the joy of experiencing the little things in life without always having to worry about vision correction devices.
While nobody can promise that you’ll never have to wear glasses or contacts again, many LASIK patients are able to rely significantly less on vision correction devices after having the procedure.
Wouldn’t it be nice to wake up, look at the alarm clock, and realize you don’t need to scramble for your glasses to start the day? What about attending an event with the family, and always being ready to snap the right photo, at the right moment?
Thinking of traveling to a new place, or simply enjoying the scenery close to home? Enjoy every moment with the benefit of clearer vision, and worry less about what will happen if you forget your glasses or contacts at home.
Perhaps you enjoy playing sports, creating art, or taking part in other hobbies that require a sharp eye for detail. With clearer vision, you will have the freedom to enjoy your favorite hobbies with a new-found freedom.
When you’re ready to learn more about LASIK vision correction and understand if you’re a candidate for LASIK, our team is here to help. Schedule your free consultation at your local TLC Laser Eye Center with a phone call, or by filling out a quick form on our website.
Is there a connection between diabetes and LASIK surgery? Let’s address common concerns and considerations for potential laser vision correction candidates.
In 2021, an estimated 38.4 million people in the U.S. were living with diabetes[i]. This article explores if there is a relationship between diabetes and LASIK candidacy, provide insights into potential risks, eligibility factors, and post-surgical considerations.
What Is Diabetes?
Diabetes, a complex metabolic disease affecting blood glucose(sugar) levels, is characterized by insufficient insulin production or inefficient insulin utilization. Insulin helps blood sugar enter the body’s cells so it can be used for energy. Insulin also signals the liver to store blood sugar for later use. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to various health issues, including heart problems, kidney diseases, and ocular complications such as diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma.
Ocular Complications Associated with Diabetes
Diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma are common eye problems linked to diabetes[iii]. The risks escalate when diabetes is poorly controlled, emphasizing the importance of maintaining blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, and body weight within target levels.
LASIK Eligibility for Diabetic Patients
While the FDA considers diabetes a relative contraindication for LASIK, recent research supports the safety and efficacy of LASIK in well-controlled diabetic patients[iii], [iv]. LASIK specialists evaluate factors such as diabetes duration, eye health, and blood glucose control to determine eligibility.
Factors Influencing LASIK Eligibility as a Diabetic
LASIK specialists assess diabetes duration, perform comprehensive eye exams, and analyze recent HbA1C test results to gauge eligibility. The stability of glasses or contact lens prescriptions is crucial, ensuring long-term visual benefits post-surgery.
Listen to Dr. Brewer from LasikPlus, our Family of LASIK brands, talk about LASIK and diabetes.
Type 1 vs. Type 2 Diabetes and LASIK
There is no discernible difference in LASIK outcomes between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetic patients[iii]. Pre-operative considerations apply uniformly to both groups.
Recovery Considerations for Diabetic LASIK Patients
Diabetes is associated with delayed healing, potentially increasing the risk of post-surgical infection. However, advancements in LASIK technology have improved the healing process, making LASIK a favorable option compared to other procedures.
Managing Dry Eye after LASIK for Diabetic Patients
Dry eye is generally a temporary post-surgical event, with advancements minimizing its incidence. Diabetic patients, with potential delayed corneal healing, should discuss this concern with their LASIK specialists and follow post-operative instructions.
Resuming Diabetic Eye Exams after LASIK
Maintaining regular diabetic eye exams is crucial for overall eye health, even after LASIK. An individualized LASIK procedure considers diabetes control and ensures the absence of diabetes-related effects on vision and eye health.
Diabetic patients can undergo LASIK with proper management and consideration of specific factors. Understanding the eligibility criteria, risks, and recovery process empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their eye care journey. Always consult with LASIK specialists and diabetes managing physicians for personalized guidance.
[iv] Cobo-Soriano R, Beltrán J, Baviera J. LASIK outcomes in patients with underlying systemic contraindications: a preliminary study. Ophthalmology. 2006 Jul;113(7): 1118.e1-8.
[v] Ata A, Lee J, Bestle SL, Desemone J, Stain SC. Postoperative hyperglycemia and surgical site infection in general surgery patients. Arch Surg. 2010 Sep;145(9):858-64.
[vi] Shoja MR, Besharati MR. Dry eye after LASIK for myopia: Incidence and risk factors. Eur J Ophthalmol. 2007 Jan-Feb;17(1):1-6.
[vii] Salomão MQ, Ambrósio R Jr, Wilson SE. Dry eye associated with laser in situ keratomileusis: Mechanical microkeratome versus femtosecond laser. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2009 Oct;35(10):1756-60.
If you’re researching your laser eye surgery options, you may have seen bladeless LASIK also referred to as blade-free LASIK or all-laser LASIK or modern LASIK. Your eye doctor can help you choose the right procedure for you and your vision needs, but in this post, we review several benefits for a bladeless LASIK procedure.
How are flaps created for LASIK?
Traditional LASIK creates a flap in the cornea with a microkeratome. This device uses a blade to cut a thin flap in the cornea. After the flap is created it is lifted, the eye is reshaped using am excimer laser. With blade-free LASIK, a femtosecond laser uses light energy to create a similar flap, therefore no blades are ever used. This laser is very gentile to the human cornea and has precision down to 10 microns. The largest benefit of blade-free LASIK is a significant reduction in intra-operative complications.
What are the benefits of Bladeless LASIK?
There are many clinical benefits of all-laser LASIK. First, there are significantly fewer intra-operative complications. Second, there is a reduction of post-operative complications such as diffuse lamellar keratitis, flap straie, and epithelial ingrowth. Finally, because the flaps are of a more precise thickness, patient’s with greater refractive errors or thin corneas may be treated safely with LASIK. Previously, these patient may not have been good candidates for LASIK.
Is Custom Bladeless LASIK Right for Me?
At TLC Laser Eye Centers, because the benefits of bladeless LASIK are so significant, it is the only way we perform LASIK eye surgery.
Considering LASIK eye surgery? When you calculate the long-term cost savings, LASIK often pays for itself in under 5 years. Learn more about the financial and lifestyle benefits of LASIK.
The Ongoing Cost of Glasses and Contacts
If you wear contacts or glasses, you likely spend over $500 per year on supplies and replacements. That cost adds up over time. LASIK offers an alternative with a one-time upfront investment that saves money in the long run.
According to average costs for popular brands:
A 90-day supply of daily disposable contacts costs $69.99 per eye, per year
Contact solution can be up to $144 annually
Replacing glasses every 5 years costs $250 or more
The total yearly cost for contacts and glasses is approximately $3,000
Convenience and Lifestyle Benefits
Beyond cost savings, LASIK also alleviates the hassle of glasses and contacts. An independent survey found that people spend over 60 hours per year managing, changing and cleaning eyewear.
Glasses and contacts also impact lifestyle. Have you ever:
Played sports with glasses sliding down your nose?
Dealt with irritated eyes from sleeping in contacts while traveling?
Run out of contacts before an important event?
Fumbled for your glasses to check on family members at night?
By correcting vision with LASIK, you can say goodbye to these annoyances.
The Bottom Line
While conveniences like text messaging and grocery delivery improve lifestyle, they rarely provide financial returns. LASIK is a rare investment that offers both cost savings and enhanced quality of life.
If you’re considering LASIK, calculate your own potential cost savings versus glasses and contacts. Also reflect on the lifestyle benefits of being glasses and contact-free. For many patients, LASIK is an investment that pays off with compound interest.
