LASIK Alternatives: Why You Should Consider Cataract Surgery

Cataracts occur when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy over time, creating hazy or blurred vision. They are typically common in the elderly, since the main contributing factor to cataracts is age. According to the National Eye Institute, by the age of 80, half of the American population suffers from cataracts or has had cataract surgery.

Though LASIK can correct this impairment, not everyone is a candidate for it. However, there are LASIK alternatives out there for those who don’t qualify, such as cataract surgery. While there is no guarantee that cataract surgery will permanently free you from glasses, recent advances in cataract surgeries may help you see better and limit your dependency on external visual aids. We have provided several ways in which cataract surgery can benefit your eyesight.

1. The Cataract Can Be Completely Removed

Cataract surgery is one of the most common and effective types of eye surgery. It involves removing the cataract and replacing it with a new permanent lens through ultrasound energy.

2. The Permanent Lens Will Last a Lifetime

With new, modern advancements in surgery being developed all the time, the cataract can now be removed completely and replaced with a permanent lens. This lens lasts a lifetime, allowing you to see fully without further impairment, unless other additional conditions emerge.

3. You Will Experience Full Range of Vision

There are several lenses that can be used in the eye once the cataract has been removed, one the options being intraocular lens implants. These special multi-focal lenses can be placed in the eye to provide vision near and far, negating the need for glasses in almost 70% of patients with multi-focal IOLs. By using a series of concentric rings to provide multiple focusing zones, these multi-focal IOLs create a more full range of vision.

4. Your Astigmatism Will Vanish

Toric IOLs are a ‘premium’ lens used to treat a common visual problem called astigmatism. As a result of an oval shaped lens, people with astigmatism see distorted images. Since a person with cataracts needs to have both the cataract and the astigmatism removed in order to gain distance vision, a toric IOL can be used to reduce both vision impairments in just one step.

5. The Shape of Your Eye Will Be Transformed

With recent advancements, a computer-guided laser can reshape the curvature of the front surface of the eye, changing the shape from oval to round. This laser can refocus the light rays passing through the cornea and eliminate astigmatism. By combining this method with the removal of a cataract, this treatment can correct vision without placing an implant lens into the eye.

Make sure to review all your options with a licensed ophthalmologist before moving forward with this surgical procedure and choosing the best course of treatment.

CorrectVision Laser Institute is one of Florida’s most advanced vision correction practices with extensive experience in eye health. Our goal is to open your eyes to the world of great vision by offering unparalleled expertise and the most advanced technology available. Contact us today for a consultation with one of our South Florida eye specialists, located in Hollywood, Weston and Pembroke Pines!