LASIK eye surgery has been a transformative solution for countless individuals who want to break free from glasses and contact lenses.

Today, we will explore the occurrence of cataracts after LASIK surgery and guide you through the important considerations and decisions ahead.

Understanding Cataracts

First we need to answer what is a cataract. A cataract is a clouding of the lens in your eye, typically due to age.

Cataracts may affect just one eye or both eyes. When you have a cataract, you usually suffer from any of the following symptoms in the affected eye:

• Blurry vision
• Poor night vision
• Light halos
• Double vision
• Colour fading

Cataracts are generally attributed to simple lens degradation from age. As we age, parts of our bodies start to degrade, which is true for the proteins in our eye lenses.

Of course, certain conditions or factors can accelerate this, diabetes mellitus being an example. Regular exposure to ultraviolet light and oxidative stress can do the same.

This makes cataracts different from the vision issues LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) treats. LASIK is designed to treat corneal issues, not lenticular ones.

Answering “Can I develop cataracts post-LASIK?”

Questions like “Can LASIK cause cataracts?” and “Does LASIK increase the risk of cataracts” are common.

As far as a review of controlled studies goes, there seems to be nothing to indicate that LASIK leads to cataracts. Even the idea of LASIK increasing cataract risk seems to be unsubstantiated as of yet.

This is because cataracts can and generally do develop independently of LASIK surgery. Again, they affect the lens while LASIK deals with the cornea.

The older you are, the higher your chances of developing cataracts. Fortunately, even if you have already had LASIK surgery, you can still get cataract surgery – this is because the part of the eye being operated on is different from the one in LASIK.

Recognising the Symptoms of Cataracts

So, how do you know that you need cataract surgery?

Generally, you should look out for the symptoms we described: blurry vision, sensitivity to light, difficulty seeing at night, halos around light sources, etc.

Of course, some of these are symptoms of another common eye condition that appears with age: glaucoma. Hence, you should still consult a professional to get an informed opinion before jumping to conclusions.

Seeking Professional Evaluation

Schedule an appointment immediately with your eye care specialist as soon as you notice changes in your vision that match with the symptoms above or suspect cataracts.

A good eye doctor should be able to tell you if cataracts are truly the source of your vision problems. They should perform tests that can help them determine that, as well as a comprehensive eye exam.

If you do have cataracts, they can usually run tests to assess the severity of the condition as well.

Going Over Treatment Options

After confirming the diagnosis, your eye care provider will discuss treatment options with you. Depending on the severity of your cataracts and their impact on your vision, the specialist may recommend either cataract surgery or non-surgical management.

Non-surgical management refers to the use of prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses to help improve vision temporarily. As for cataract surgery, its viability is affected by a host of factors.

Your doctor will evaluate the timing of the surgery and whether or not you are a good candidate for the procedure. Among the things typically considered are the progression of your cataracts, your actual visual needs, and your general eye health as well as overall health.

Preparing for Cataract Surgery

Your eye care provider will provide instructions on how to prepare for the procedure. This may involve discontinuing certain medications or adjusting your daily routine to account for the surgery’s effects.

For example, your doctor will typically provide you with eye drops and specify how long to use them. Patients are advised to take things easy for the first three days post-surgery and take painkillers only as necessary.

You will usually be asked to use your eye shield (provided by the doctor) for a week. During the healing process, you should refrain from rubbing, soaping or washing your eyes.

Putting anything near the eye is not advised at this time either. This means you should not apply face creams, eye makeup, and the like. It’s also important to refrain from strenuous exercise for at least a week after the surgery.

Your doctor may have more instructions beyond these, so take time to understand and familiarise yourself with the recommended post-surgical care.

Consult an eye care specialist today

In summary, cataracts are not caused LASIK surgery. It is a natural ageing process of the lens of the eye and can occur whether or not a person has had LASIK done in the past.

If you need to see an eye doctor or specialist about possible cataract development, whether before or after LASIK, reach out to us. At Shinagawa Eye Centre, we can perform the necessary assessments to determine if you have the condition and treat it accordingly.

Call us to enquire or book an appointment for an eye screening today.

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