Laser vision correction is one of the most popular surgeries these days, it includes LASIK and SMILE both of these have changed the overall landscape of refractive surgery. People mostly prefer this type of surgery to resolve their refractive errors. Being dependent on the glasses or contact lenses will make you tired at some point of view that is the time they choose to get laser refractive surgery. But not everyone is eligible for getting LASIK or SMILE, there are certain limitations which you should get to know how you are looking to get any of them. There is a common question that is, can an individual with cataract be eligible to get SMILE Clear LASIK, this blog will explore the possibilities of getting the SMILE or LASIK, check it out to get to know.
Understanding cataracts
Cataracts are a common eye condition people get as they age. In this condition the lens of the eyes becomes cloudy and makes the vision blur. Even though it is regarding age it can also be influenced by other factors like diabetes, eye injuries, or prolonged intake of corticosteroids. The common symptoms of cataracts are blurred vision, night vision difficulty, light sensitivity, and visualizing halos around the lights.
How do LASIK and SMILE work?
LASIK is a kind of laser surgery where the thin flap is created over the cornea and then the cornea will be reshaped to resolve the refractive error, it could help various refractive errors like myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. An excimer laser will be used for vision correction and the flap will be repositioned for natural healing.
SMILE is also a laser correction surgery that makes use of a femtosecond laser which will create a small incision over the cornea which is then removed to correct the refractive error. This advanced laser surgery will be less invasive and also help in correcting refractive errors.
Cataracts and refractive surgery
Cataract affects the lens of the eyes which makes it cloudy and LASIK or SMILE works on the cornea in that case the presence of a cataract will complicate the refractive error surgeries. Below are the reasons why it is complicated,
- The most common reason is cataracts is a disease that progresses over the days in that case even though the refractive error is fixed the clarity of the vision will decrease as the cataract progresses.
- The LASIK or SMILE can fix the refractive error but they cannot do anything with the cloudiness of the lens therefore vision improvement couldn’t be guaranteed this is the biggest issue with a cataract when considering laser surgery.
- While correcting the cataract as the post-cataract surgical care cloudy lens will be replaced with an artificial intraocular lens that may influence the result of LASIK or SMILE even if it may create unnecessary problems.
Considerations and Alternatives
Even though laser surgery couldn’t work better for cataract patients there are some of the alternatives which could help them in overcoming it. Check it out,
- If you are having a cataract then your first focus should fall on the cataract because during the cataract surgery, the cloudy lens will be replaced with an intraocular lens. These lenses are available in monofocal, multifocal, and toric lenses they could also address the refractive errors.
- Post-cataract refractive surgery, in some cases even after getting the cataract surgery some vision corrections may be required in the case of residual refractive errors here you can go with the LASIK or PRK surgery.
- There is an option called customization of IOLs that is your intraocular lens could be customized based on the necessity of your eye which could correct both distance as well as near vision.
Get SMILE laser consultation
While you are having the cataract and considering SMILE or LASIK there you should know what are the hindrances that you face that will help you in making an informed decision. The best cataract surgeon from the best eye hospital like The Eye Foundation could give you hands on making the right decision which could address both cataract as well as refractive surgery.
Get the best care for your eye with us. Schedule your appointment today for expert and personalized treatment.
