If you have cataracts and are considering surgery to correct the condition, you may not realize that you also have options to correct other vision impairments during the cataract surgery. If you are nearsighted or farsighted, or have an astigmatism or presbyopia, refractive cataract surgery can correct or improve your vision. Standard cataract surgery removes only the cataracts, but refractive cataract surgery removes the cataracts and corrects other vision problems.
During cataract surgery, the surgeon removes the eye’s crystalline lens and replaces it with a new intraocular lens that’s designed to correctly bend (or refract) light rays so that you see clearly. The implanted lens can also be shaped to correct vision problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia, which could mean you’d have less or no dependence on glasses.
Refractive surgery is also an option for people who don’t need cataract surgery but want to correct their vision so that they no longer need corrective glasses or contact lenses. People who were considering LASIK surgery may choose to opt for refractive surgery instead because eye surgeons can accomplish more with this procedure than with LASIK. For example, the implanted lens could be bifocal to correct both near and far vision impairments.
Refractive lenses are constantly advancing, so the possibilities are great. The procedure may be a good option if you want to decrease your dependence on glasses or contact lenses and are free of other eye diseases besides cataracts.
If you’re facing cataract surgery or considering LASIK, talk with one of our eye surgeons to see if you might be a candidate for refractive surgery. The procedure won’t be recommended unless the success rate for an optimal outcome is projected to be very high.
To find out if you may be a candidate for refractive cataract surgery or to discuss other options to improve your vision, contact East Tennessee Eye Surgeons With two locations at 7800 Conner Road in Powell and 744 Middle Creek Road, Suite 200 in Sevierville, East Tennessee Eye Surgeons delivers the highest quality eye care in an exceptional setting. Visit our website to learn more about us, or call us at 865-546-1464 (Powell) or 865-908-7008 (Sevierville).