How Is Cataract Surgery Done With History Of Lasik

What’s the best way to get the best vision after cataract surgery? Well, having a good surgeon helps, but also important is having the most accurate calculations. When lasik first came out, getting these calculations accurate was very hit or miss. Fortunately things have changed since then.

Old lens equations rely on measurements of the cornea to predict the power of the artificial lens after cataract surgery. When these equations were developed, only the front surface of the cornea was able to be measured. Thus, these calculations relied only on these front cornea measurements. This isn’t an issue for normal corneas because the back curvature of the cornea exists in a standard ratio to the front. After lasik, however, this ratio is altered! Lasik changes the curvature of the front part of the cornea WITHOUT effecting the curvature of the back. This introduces errors with standard lens equations.

Fortunately, diagnostic equipment has evolved and caught up. Modern equipment has the ability to estimate the total power of the cornea instead of from just the front. Newer lens equations designed for post-lasik use this total power measurement and have become quite accurate in getting on target! In addition, measurements performed in the middle of the procedure itself with ORA intraoperative aberrometry provide very accurate real-time calculations! All of this has allowed for patients with a history of lasik to have almost the same result after cataract surgery and refractive lens exchange as those who have not.

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