Ageing often brings wisdom and timeless knowledge, but your physical body may not withstand the passage of time as effectively—particularly your eyes.
As you age, the likelihood of developing vision problems increases. Cataracts, for instance, do not show significant symptoms in the early stages. Over time, more noticeable signs emerge that eventually require corrective measures.
Cataract surgery can vastly improve eyesight, but it doesn’t always eliminate the need for corrective lenses. You might still need glasses or contact lenses for your day-to-day routine. In some cases, LASIK can be an additional or follow-up procedure to further enhance your vision after cataract surgery.
However, when dealing with sensitive body parts like your eyes, it’s common to have concerns and reservations. Let’s clear up some of your questions regarding cataract surgery and LASIK surgery in Malaysia, and whether both procedures can be done together.
What is Cataract Surgery?
Cataracts cause your eye’s natural lens to turn cloudy due to protein buildup, leading to blurry vision, difficulty driving at night, and missing out on the beauty of life’s finer details. This can be frustrating and dangerous.
Cataract eye surgery is a highly effective method to address this issue. During the procedure, the eye specialist gently removes your clouded lens and replaces it with a clear artificial lens, known as an intraocular lens (IOL). The treatment helps you regain clearer vision, with millions of people benefitting from it globally every year.
While cataract surgery significantly improves vision, especially in advanced cases. Some patients may still experience post-treatment refractive errors. This means that even with a new IOL, you might still need glasses or contact lenses for certain tasks. This is where LASIK comes into play.
What is LASIK Surgery?
LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is a popular procedure designed to correct refractive errors such as myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (far-sightedness), and astigmatism (imperfect curvature of the cornea).
Using a precise laser, eye surgeons carefully reshape your cornea to let light focus correctly on your retina, thereby improving overall vision. The process typically takes just minutes per eye and is minimally invasive. With the help of post-operative eye drops and fast recovery times, discomfort is minimal.
With a success rate of over 95% and a minimal risk of complications, the no-blade LASIK surgery is hailed as a modern marvel in vision correction. Patients report significant improvement in their quality of life due to newfound freedom from glasses and contact lenses.
Cataract Surgery vs. LASIK: A Quick Overview
| Feature | Cataract Surgery | LASIK |
| Purpose | Removes the clouded natural lens and replaces it with an artificial one (IOL) to restore vision | Reshapes the cornea to correct refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism |
| Ideal Candidates | Patients with cataracts affecting their vision | Patients with myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and stable vision |
| Duration of Procedure | 15–20 minutes per eye | 10–15 minutes per eye |
| Vision Recovery Time | A few days to a week
Full recovery in a few weeks |
Most patients recover within a few days |
| Technology Used | Ultrasound, femtosecond lasers, and IOLs | Excimer and femtosecond lasers |
| Results | Clearer vision
May still need glasses for reading |
Corrected vision
Often eliminates the need for glasses or contact lenses |
| Common Risks | Infections, swelling, dry eyes
In rare cases, IOL dislocation |
Dry eyes, glare
In rare cases, under- or over-correction |
| Post-Surgery Maintenance | Regular follow-ups to ensure proper IOL placement and monitor eye health | Regular check-ups and artificial tears may be required |
| Cost | Higher cost due to implant and surgical complexity | Lower cost than cataract surgery, but varies depending on the provider |
Cataract surgery and LASIK are both transformative procedures that significantly improve and enhance your quality of life. Cataract surgery aims to remove cloudy lenses and restore clear vision, while LASIK corrects refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
So Then, Is It Possible to Get LASIK After Cataract Surgery in Malaysia?
The short answer is yes.
LASIK can be performed after cataract surgery. As mentioned, some patients may continue to experience imperfect vision due to pre-existing conditions. LASIK can help address these remaining issues by reshaping the cornea to allow light to focus correctly in the eye.
However, it is important to consider the pros and cons of LASIK, as well as several key factors, to ensure it’s the right decision. LASIK is typically performed on natural lenses. The presence of an IOL may introduce complications that affect the procedure, such as the type of IOL and how well it is functioning.
Important Factors for Cataract Patients to Consider About LASIK
Here are the key factors to consider when contemplating LASIK after cataract surgery in Malaysia:
- Vision Stability: Ensure your vision has stabilised following cataract surgery. If it continues to fluctuate, LASIK may not be suitable at this time. Your eye specialist will monitor your eyesight to ensure that any refractive errors are consistent before proceeding with LASIK.
- Corneal Health: Since LASIK involves reshaping the cornea, its health and thickness play major roles. If your cornea is too thin or has other health concerns, your specialist may recommend alternative options such as Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK).
- Type of Intraocular Lens (IOL): The type of IOL implanted during your cataract surgery can also influence the feasibility of LASIK. Some IOLs, such as multifocal or toric lenses, may reduce or eliminate the need for LASIK, while others may still call for further correction.
- Other Eye Conditions: If you have other eye complications like dry eye syndrome or glaucoma (blindness caused by optic nerve damage), these may need to be addressed first.
When considering both cataract and LASIK surgeries together, it’s important to understand the sequential approach involved. If residual refractive error persists after cataract surgery, your eye specialist will assess whether there’s a noticeable improvement in vision after correction. LASIK may then be considered as a follow-up procedure. Any underlying issues concerning the IOL (e.g., repositioning a toric IOL) will be prioritised over LASIK.
Post-Cataract-Surgery LASIK: What is the Success Rate and How Safe Is It?
Yes, it is generally safe.
Advancements in technology have made it possible to perform LASIK after cataract surgery in certain cases. However, it still depends on individual circumstances. The safety and effectiveness of LASIK as a follow-up procedure largely rely on cornea health and the stability of your eyesight after cataract surgery.
Studies have shown promising results for LASIK after cataract surgery in Malaysia. According to the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, many patients experience similar success rates, improved vision outcomes, and levels of satisfaction as those who underwent only LASIK.
To make better-informed decisions, it is advised to seek a thorough consultation with an experienced ophthalmologist. They will carefully assess your overall eye health before recommending any procedure.
Where Do I Go to Get the Best LASIK Surgery in Malaysia?
If you’re considering LASIK after cataract surgery, it’s crucial to choose a trusted eye specialist with a proven track record.
VISTA Eye Specialist is Malaysia’s leading provider of LASIK and cataract surgeries. Our surgeons have extensive experience and are well-versed in operating the latest technology to ensure optimal results for our patients. With over 50,000 successful LASIK procedures and highly satisfied patients, we are your trusted destination for corrective vision.
Reach out to us today to schedule an appointment or visit any of our centres in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang, Johor Bahru, or Ipoh for more information and convenient access to expert eye care.
