LASIK vs. Cataract Surgery: What’s the Difference?

LASIK Surgery

The most well-known and widely used laser refractive surgery to correct vision problems, LASIK can be used instead of glasses or contact lenses. A special type of cutting laser is used during LASIK surgery to precisely change the shape of the dome-shaped clear tissue at the front of your eye (cornea) to improve vision.

In normal vision, the cornea precisely bends (refracts) light onto the retina at the back of the eye. However, when a person has nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), or astigmatism, the light is bent incorrectly, resulting in blurred vision. Although glasses or contact lenses can be used to correct vision, reshaping the cornea will also provide the necessary refraction. LASIK surgery cost in Delhi ranges from Rs 30,000 to Rs 190,000.

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Why Is LASIK Surgery Done?

For the correction of one of the following vision problems, LASIK surgery may be an option:

• Nearsightedness (Myopia) Light rays focus in front of the retina and blur distant vision when your eyeball is slightly longer than normal or when the cornea curves too sharply. Close objects can be seen fairly clearly, but distant objects cannot.
• Farsightedness (Hyperopia) When you have an eyeball that is shorter than average or a cornea that is too flat, light focuses behind the retina rather than on it. This causes blurry near and sometimes distant vision.
• Astigmatism (Blurry Vision) Astigmatism occurs when the cornea curves or flattens unevenly, disrupting the focus of near and distant vision.

You probably already wear glasses or contact lenses if you're considering LASIK surgery. Your eye doctor will discuss with you whether LASIK surgery or another similar refractive procedure is a viable option for you. Efficient LASIK surgery is performed regularly at The Sight Avenue, Delhi.

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Preparing For LASIK surgery

You can prepare for LASIK surgery by doing the following:

• Understand the potential costs of surgery because LASIK surgery is usually considered elective, most insurance companies will not cover the cost of the procedure. Prepare to pay for your expenses out of pocket.
• Make arrangements for a ride home. You'll need someone to drive you to and from your surgery location. You may still feel the effects of pre-surgery medication, and your vision may be blurry immediately after surgery.
• Leave out the eye makeup. On the day before and the day of your surgery, avoid wearing eye makeup, cream, perfumes, or lotions.

In the days leading up to surgery, clean your eyelashes daily or more frequently to remove debris and reduce your risk of infection.

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What To Expect Before the Procedure?

Contact lenses can alter the shape of your cornea. You must also wear glasses for at least a few weeks before the procedure. Even during evaluation, your eye doctor will ask about your medical and surgical history and perform a thorough eye examination to assess your vision and whether you can safely undergo the procedure. Your doctor will look for the following symptoms:

• Infection in the eyes
• Inflammation
• Dry eyes
• Pupils with large pupils
• High intraocular pressure

Your eye doctor will also measure the shape, contour, thickness, and any irregularities in your cornea. Your eye doctor will assess which areas of your cornea require reshaping and the precise amount of tissue to be removed.

Before LASIK surgery, your doctor will create a detailed map of your eye using wavefront-guided technology. The more precise this map is, the more accurate and precise your doctor can be while removing corneal tissue. Before surgery, doctors will also go over the risks and benefits.

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What To Expect During the Procedure?

After numbing drops are placed in your eye, your doctor uses an instrument to hold your eyelids open. LASIK surgery is usually completed in 30 minutes or less. Your eye surgeon uses a small blade or cutting laser to cut a small hinged flap from the front of your eye. Your eye surgeon can reshape parts of your cornea with a laser. A small amount of corneal tissue is removed with each laser pulse. After reshaping the cornea, the surgeon replaces the flap. The flap usually heals without the need for stitches.

If you're having LASIK surgery for both the eyes, doctors will generally conduct the procedure on the same day. You may detect a distinct odor as the laser removes your corneal tissue. Some people describe the smell as similar to that of burning hair.

What To Expect After the Procedure?

You might experience a little pain, and you'll usually recover your vision quickly. Immediately after surgery, your eye might itch, feel gritty, burn and be watery. Your eye doctor might also ask you to wear a shield over your eye at night until your eye heals.

One to two days after surgery, you'll have a follow-up appointment with your eye doctor. It takes two to three months for your eye to heal and your vision to stabilize. Your chances of improving your vision are determined by how good your vision was before surgery.

It may be a few weeks before you can resume using cosmetics around your eyes. It is also possible that you will have to wait several weeks before returning to strenuous contact sports, swimming, or using hot tubs. Follow your doctor's advice on when you can resume your normal activities.

Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery is a procedure to remove the lens of your eye and replace it with an artificial lens. A cataract causes the lens to become cloudy, which eventually affects your vision. Surgery is very common and is generally a safe procedure for most people. Cataract surgery in Delhi is efficiently done at The Sight Avenue.

Why Is Cataract Surgery Done?

Cataract surgery is performed to treat cataracts. Cataracts can cause blurry vision and increase the glare of light. When a cataract interferes with the treatment of another eye problem, it may be recommended for surgery.

Doctors may also recommend cataract surgery to treat age-related macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy.

If you are thinking about having cataract surgery, you may not need it for many years. In most cases, waiting to have cataracts removed will not harm your eye, giving you time to consider whether you should have it done.

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Preparing For the Procedure

You may be instructed not to eat or drink anything 12 hours before cataract surgery. Your doctor may also advise you to temporarily stop taking any medication that could increase your risk of bleeding during the procedure. Antibiotic eye drops may be prescribed for use one or two days before the surgery.

What To Expect During the Procedure?

During cataract surgery, the clouded lens is removed, and a clear artificial lens is usually implanted. If you're given a sedative, you may remain awake, but groggy, during surgery. Some cases also require removing the lens without implanting an artificial lens.

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Cataract removal surgery methods include:

• An ultrasound probe transmits ultrasound waves to break up (emulsify) the cataract and suction out the fragments. The very back of your lens (the lens capsule) is left intact to serve as a place for the artificial lens to rest.
• Extracapsular cataract extraction requires a larger incision than that used for phacoemulsification. This procedure may be performed if you have certain eye complications. The very back capsule of your lens is left in place to serve as a place for the artificial lens to rest.

What To Expect After the Procedure?

Within a few days of cataract surgery, your vision will begin to improve. It is normal to experience itching and mild discomfort for a few days following surgery. On the day of surgery, your doctor may instruct you to wear an eye patch or protective shield.

The eye doctor may prescribe eye drops or other medication to prevent infection, reduce inflammation, and control eye pressure. After a couple of days, most of the discomfort will disappear. Often, complete healing occurs within eight weeks after an operation like cataract removal. Book your appointment with the best cataract surgeon exclusively available at The Sight Avenue hospital.

We have an experienced team of eye specialists who are trusted by many patients for diagnosis and treatment of different eye problems such as LASIK and Cataract surgery. There is a lot of confusion about LASIK Vs Cataract Surgery symptoms and treatment options. To get expert advice, consult the eye specialists at The Sight Avenue hospital to understand all about LASIK and Cataract surgery.