Can cataract surgery and LASIK be done at the same time?

Doctor's Answers 1

Cataract surgery and LASIK are never performed at the same time on a particular eye.

Each has it's own indications, ie reasons for a patient undergoing the procedure.

So if a person has a cataract, then they need cataract surgery and not LASIK.

If a person does not have a cataract, but wants to reduce their need to wear glasses or contact lenses, then LASIK can be considered as an option.

That said, here are some things to consider.

1. Cataract surgery can change an eye's refractive power. By choosing lens implants of a particular power, myopia/hyperopia/astigmatism can be reduced.

2. Nothing, not cataract surgery, and not LASIK, can cure presbyopia or Lao Hua.

3. Any person who undergoes cataract surgery will have full presbyopia/Lao Hua in that operated eye after surgery. Compromises to minimise the impact of this presbyopia include monovision and multifocal lens implants, but these are not perfect and each have their own downsides.

Similar Questions

What are the most common reasons for cataract surgery in Singapore?

The most common causes of cataracts are: Age – We will all develop a cataract when we get older. It’s a matter of how severe the cataract is and whether our vision is impaired by it, that determines whether or not we need surgery. Excessive sunlight exposure – We know that ultraviolet rays from sunlight exposure is a major risk factor for cataract formation. Hence, with cumulative exposure to sunlight without proper UV protection, we will need cataract surgery sooner than most.

Photo of Dr Claudine Pang

Answered By

Dr Claudine Pang

Ophthalmologist

Which is the most common cataract surgery in Singapore between femtosecond laser versus phacoemulsification cataract surgery, and why?

Phacoemulsifiation is the commoner of the 2. Femtosecond cataract surgery has been available for about 5 years now and remains relatively less popular. The reason is due in large part to the fact that femtosecond cataract surgery has yet to show superiority in post-operative results but yet saddles the patient with significantly higher costs. Femtosecond cataract surgery though is found to be a useful tool by surgeons in certain complicated cases.

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