Can You Have Cataract Surgery After Laser Eye Surgery?

Over the past two decades, laser eye surgery procedures such as LASIK, LASEK and SMILE have become extremely common. According to the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, more than 100,000 laser vision correction procedures are carried out in the UK each year. At the same time, cataract surgery remains the most frequently performed elective operation in the country, with NHS England reporting around 400,000 procedures annually. It’s no surprise that many people who enjoy clear sight following laser eye surgery in their 20s, 30s or 40s then wonder what happens when cataracts develop later in life.

The great news is that you can safely undergo cataract surgery after previous laser eye surgery. The process of removing a cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) is essentially the same, but your surgeon will take extra care to plan the lens implant and tailor the surgery to each eye’s requirements.

How Cataract Surgery Works After Laser Eye Surgery

Cataract surgery involves removing the eye’s cloudy natural lens and replacing it with a clear, artificial one. If you have previously had LASIK, LASEK or SMILE, the corneal surface has been reshaped, which can make the measurements for IOL power slightly more complex. However, advances in diagnostic technology now allow surgeons to achieve extremely accurate results even in post-laser eyes. At Optegra, our consultants use state-of-the-art biometry and corneal mapping to ensure the chosen lens gives you the best possible outcome.

Choosing the Right Lens

Through our private cataract surgery offering, treatment is not only about removing the cataract but also about enhancing your vision for life after surgery. Your consultant will review your eye history, including details of your previous laser treatment, and will discuss different lens implant options. This can include premium lenses such as toric, multifocal or extended depth of focus lenses designed to reduce your dependence on glasses and contact lenses. Your consultant will also explain the likely visual outcome and any limitations unique to eyes that have undergone laser correction before.

Rather than a quick ‘one-size-fits-all’ conversation, a consultation at Optegra is an in-depth discussion covering your lifestyle, visual priorities, any medical conditions, and the type of lens technology most suited to your eyes, to find the best solution for you.

Can You Have Laser Eye Surgery After Cataract Surgery?

The relationship works in the other direction too. Many people ask if they can have laser eye surgery after cataract surgery. The answer is yes, in most cases. Once a cataract has been removed and an IOL implanted, residual refractive errors (like mild short-sightedness, long-sightedness or astigmatism) can sometimes be refined with laser vision correction on the cornea. However, this is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Your eye health, corneal thickness and the type of lens implant you received will all play a role in determining suitability.

Why Expert Care Matters

Cataract surgery is extremely safe, but patients who have undergone previous refractive surgery require particularly careful planning and an experienced surgeon to achieve an optimal outcome. Consultants treating the cataracts of patients who’ve previously undergone laser eye surgery undertake bespoke calculations and require the use of advanced equipment to fine-tune the lens choice. At Optegra, every cataract procedure is performed by a Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, and our hospitals are equipped with the very latest diagnostic and surgical technology.

Planning Your Next Steps

If you have had laser eye surgery in the past and are now developing cataracts, or if you have already had cataract surgery and are considering further laser refinement, the best place to start is a consultation with an expert. At Optegra, our consultants will explain your options, review your full eye history and outline realistic outcomes so you can make an informed decision.

With hundreds of thousands of cataract procedures and laser eye surgeries performed across our network, our team is ideally placed to guide you through both worlds of treatment. Book your free, no-obligation consultation today to discover how we can help you maintain clear, comfortable vision for years to come.