Does LASIK Increase Risk of Cataracts?

At Vold Vision in Fayetteville and Bentonville, AR, we’re excited to offer you a greater range of laser vision correction (LVC) options than any other eye-care provider in Arkansas. Our dedication to your ocular well-being has earned us a spot among the top 10% of clinics for LVC in the entire nation.

If you’re suffering from any visual woes, discomfort, or have any concerns, and live near Springdale, AR, Northwest Arkansas, or the surrounding areas, please get in touch with us today. Let us help find the best solution possible for your long-term health and happiness.

The risks and rewards of LASIK laser vision correction

LASIK has helped more than 10 million Americans enjoy the crisp, clear vision of their dreams. Its simplicity and accessibility have made it one of the most popular, safest elective surgeries practiced worldwide. About 30 minutes is all that’s required to make a tiny incision on the cornea and then utilize computer-controlled laser pulses to reshape the body of the cornea. Once properly “recalibrated,” it can correctly convey light and focus it on the retina to allow excellent eyesight.

Though it does have its risks, and a very small number of patients may experience post-procedure side effects of varying duration. These are generally minor and include slight vision disturbances (glare, halo, fuzziness) or dry eyes. The vast majority of patients can expect these to clear up during the post-procedure period, though the exact timing depends on multiple lifestyle and health factors.

Other risk factors may preclude the use of LASIK in the first place. Individuals with corneal abnormalities or injuries may be better suited by other options, as will those with certain health issues, including immune disorders or illnesses that may hinder proper healing.

Overall, after a bit more than two decades since its approval by the FDA, LASIK has been found to be safe and to incur a low risk of complication. In fact, studies have found that complications occur less than 1% of the time. And the rates of enhancement, or the need to go back and make some kind of secondary surgical follow-up, can be almost as low.

How cataracts develop

Cataracts, on the other hand, are an age-related disorder. They also affect a different part of the eye – while LASIK reshapes the cornea, cataracts occur due to protein degradation within the eye’s lens. This degradation ramps up in one’s 40s, when cataracts begin developing. Once these proteins deteriorate, they also accumulate and form clumps.

These clumps, or cloudy spots on the lens, begin obscuring one’s vision. If left to their own devices, they gradually cause blindness and are the world’s leading cause of lost vision. Therefore, this disorder can manifest regardless of one’s previous LASIK history.

Contact us today for vivid vision and long-lasting eye health

If you have any concerns about your vision, ocular status, or LASIK, our expert doctors would love to offer you peace of mind. Via a comprehensive consultation, we’ll discuss your expectations, risks, and rewards, and develop a personalized plan just for you. And you can take your first step toward better vision and healthier eyes by getting in touch with us today at Vold Vision in Fayetteville or Bentonville, AR.