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Will LASIK Reshaping of my Cornea Lessen my Risk for Cataracts?

asked 10 months ago by anon
Latest answer by Cary M. Silverman, MD
Question viewed 214 times
Tags: eyes, advantage, complication, results, risk, shaped, side effects

Cataracts run in my family, and I was wondering if LASIK surgery lessens the risk I will develop cataracts at a later date. How likely is it I will need cataract surgery if I have hyperopic LASIK?

4 answers to Will LASIK Reshaping of my Cornea Lessen my Risk for Cataracts?

+1

LASIK causing Cataracts? No

Having LASIK surgery does not increase one's risk of developing cataracts in the future. It does not decrease the risk either. LASIK prior to cataract surgery does effect the calculations required to determine the power of the implant (IOL) used to replace the eye's natural lens (which is removed during cataract surgery.) This means that there is a greater chance of needing glasses following cataract surgery. This can usually be corrected by doing a LASIK... more
Cary M. Silverman, MD

West Orange Ophthalmologist
+1

LASIK and Cataracts

LASIK surgery is performed on the cornea, which is on the outside of the eye, and cataract surgery involves the lens of the eye, which is located inside of the eye behind the colored (iris) of the eye. A cataract is when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy. LASIK should give good vision for distance until cataracts develop. This generally occurs in your 60's, 70's or 80's. Everyone who lives long enough will eventually develop cataracts and LASIK will have... more
Mark Golden, MD

Chicago Ophthalmologist
+1

Will LASIK Reduce My Chance of Developing Cataracts

A cataract is an opacity in the natural lens inside your eye while LASIK is a vision correcting procedure which reduces one's need for glasses and/or contact lenses by reshaping the front surface of the eye, known as the cornea. Treating one's refractive error should have little effect on your chances of developing cataracts, although by the time we are in our 80's, 1/2 of the population either has cataracts or has had cataract surgery. Continue to seek care of an eye... more
Sandy Feldman, MD

San Diego Ophthalmologist
+1

LASIK and Cataracts

Laser Vision Correction(Lasik and PRK) is performed on the outer surface of the eye, which is the cornea. There is no relation between Lasik and cataract development. Cataracts occur in the lens of the eye, which resides behind the cornea. While Lasik has not been related in any way with cataracts, the human lens tends to become a cataract as we get older. The average age for the beginning signs of cataract formation is 60-65. There are some families, however, who develop cataracts at... more
Anthony J. Kameen, MD

Baltimore Ophthalmologist

www.kameen.com

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