News

Can you have laser eye surgery with cataracts? The short answer is no, it wouldn’t be recommended. But it’s a little more complex than that. The good news is that cataracts can be removed, and your vision can be restored - often better than it’s been in years.

Why not? 

Laser eye surgery is designed to correct refractive errors like short-sightedness (myopia), long-sightedness (hypermetropia), and astigmatism. These procedures work by reshaping the cornea, the clear "window" at the front of the eye, to allow light to focus properly on the retina.

Cataracts, however, are a different issue. They occur when the eye’s natural lens becomes cloudy, causing blurry vision, glare, and difficulty seeing in low light. Unlike refractive errors, cataracts are not related to the cornea, but to the lens inside the eye.

Why doesn't laser treat cataracts? 

If you already have cataracts, laser eye surgery (like LASIK, TPRK or SmartSight) isn’t recommended. That's because reshaping the cornea might correct the shape of your eye, but it won’t solve the problem of a cloudy lens. Even after laser surgery, you’d still experience blurry vision because the cataract would remain inside your eye.

Instead, the preferred solution for cataracts is cataract surgery. During this procedure, the cloudy lens is completely removed, and replaced with a clear artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). This lens restores clear vision and often reduces dependence on glasses or contacts, giving you even better vision than you had before cataracts.

What about "laser cataract surgery"?

You might have heard of “laser cataract surgery.” This refers to a technique called femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS), where a laser is used to assist with parts of the cataract removal process. While this does technically involve the use of a laser, it’s very different from LASIK, TPRK, SmartSight, or other laser eye surgeries designed to treat refractive errors. In laser cataract surgery, the laser does not correct a person's vision, instead, it helps create precise incisions and soften the cataract.

Key takeaways

• Laser eye surgery (LASIK, TPRK, SmartSight) is for correcting refractive errors in people without cataracts.
• Cataract surgery is the appropriate treatment if you have cataracts. It involves replacing the cloudy natural lens with a clear one.
• Laser-assisted cataract surgery uses lasers as part of the cataract removal process, but it’s different from traditional laser eye surgery for vision correction.

If you’ve been diagnosed with cataracts or suspect you might have them, it’s important to consult with an experienced eye surgeon. They’ll assess your vision and recommend the best treatment option tailored to your needs.

Would you like to discuss your options with us? Medownick Laser Clinic specialises in stress-free, sutureless cataract removal. Contact us today (1800 37 39 37) to learn more about cataract surgery and how we can help you achieve clearer vision.