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Eye Care Archive (Expert Forum)
Cataract surgery following Lasik
Our Ask A Doctor Ophthalmology Forum is where you can post your question and receive a personal answer from physicians affiliated with the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Cataract surgery following Lasik
by Richard123, Mar 06, 2007 12:00AM
I had lasik done many years ago and was very happy with the results. The last couple of years I have had growing cataracts that now need to be addressed. I would like to get back to the vision I had post-lasik but pre-cataract.
The first doctor I went to said that the IOL power to bring me back to the plano vision I had cannot be determined on a lasik patient.
Other things I have read indicate that it can be done, but the determination is more difficult. Is that true? if so, can anyone recommend a cataract doctor in the Fort Worth (or Dallas) area that achieves good results with lasik patients?
Also if, after the cataracts are replaced by IOLs, I do not get back to the post-Lasik pre-cataract vision I had, can lasik be performed again many years after the first lasik (about 8 years)?
The first doctor I went to said that the IOL power to bring me back to the plano vision I had cannot be determined on a lasik patient.
Other things I have read indicate that it can be done, but the determination is more difficult. Is that true? if so, can anyone recommend a cataract doctor in the Fort Worth (or Dallas) area that achieves good results with lasik patients?
Also if, after the cataracts are replaced by IOLs, I do not get back to the post-Lasik pre-cataract vision I had, can lasik be performed again many years after the first lasik (about 8 years)?
Doctor's Answer
by Forum-OD-MP, Mar 06, 2007 12:00AM
'Other things I have read indicate that it can be done, but the determination is more difficult. Is that true?'
YES.
dont know anyone in dallas, sorry.
'can lasik be performed again many years after the first lasik (about 8 years)?'
the number of years makes no difference at all. its the residual corneal thickness and the amount and type of Rx that is being removed that matters. it will depend on how thick your cornea is right now (its thinner now than it was pre-lasik) and how much Rx you're going to have to get rid of post-cataract extraction. there are a lot of variables and its going to be difficult to get anyone, much less a surgeon to tell you 'YES it ca be done' or 'NO it cant be done'. they're all going to say the same thing as me... 'MAYBE, maybe not'.
YES.
dont know anyone in dallas, sorry.
'can lasik be performed again many years after the first lasik (about 8 years)?'
the number of years makes no difference at all. its the residual corneal thickness and the amount and type of Rx that is being removed that matters. it will depend on how thick your cornea is right now (its thinner now than it was pre-lasik) and how much Rx you're going to have to get rid of post-cataract extraction. there are a lot of variables and its going to be difficult to get anyone, much less a surgeon to tell you 'YES it ca be done' or 'NO it cant be done'. they're all going to say the same thing as me... 'MAYBE, maybe not'.
