Tired of wearing glasses or contact lenses? Which refractive surgery would work better to correct your vision? If you are confused between the pros and cons of LASIK eye surgery vs lens implants, and the choice seems daunting, this blog will help you weigh your options and make the right decision. Let’s discuss today’s LASIK eye surgery vs lens implants.
What is LASIK Eye Surgery?
LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is an outpatient surgical procedure that treats severe to moderate refractive errors, including myopia (shortsightedness), hyperopia (longsightedness), and astigmatism. LASIK surgery is quick and relatively painless and provides long-term vision correction, offering relief from the daily hassle of glasses or contacts. However, it’s important to note that results are influenced by age and the possibility of regression.
What Are Lens Implants?
Lens Implants are synthetic lenses used to replace the eye’s natural lens. The natural lens is surgically removed in case of a visually significant cataract, while the implant is placed in front of the natural lens to cure refractive issues. Though an excellent option for vision correction, these implants have some side effects, including infections, sensitivity, and glares. There are two common types of these implants:
Intraocular Lenses (IOLs)
Intraocular lenses are artificial lenses that replace the natural eye lens, especially in cataract surgery. Cataracts occur when the lens becomes cloudy and hazy, causing blurred vision and focus problems. For visually significant cataracts, eyeglasses and contact lenses can help you see clearly. Still, cataract surgery provides a long-term solution, permanently replacing the foggy lens with acrylic or silicone Intraocular lenses.
Phakic IOLs
These lens implants do not replace your natural crystalline lens but are placed between the iris and the eye’s natural lens. The implant of Phakic IOLs, also known as implantable collamer lenses (ICLs), allows for improved vision and reduced reliance on eyeglasses.
LASIK Eye Surgery vs. Lens Implants
Choosing between LASIK surgery and Lens Implants is a daunting decision. Which is better, lens replacement or laser surgery? Decide for yourself in this detailed analysis and head-to-head comparison of LASIK vs lens implants.
Which is More Painless Eye Surgery?
While both LASIK treatment and lens implants are mostly painless refractive treatments, the duration of the surgery and healing time make the difference. LASIK is a quick, 5–10 minute outpatient surgical treatment. The lens implant procedure is quick but slightly more time-consuming than the LASIK surgery.
Surgeons prefer to use local anesthesia for both procedures, but since lens implants are more invasive, patients might feel some discomfort post-surgery. Refractive lens exchange also takes longer to heal (around 4–6 weeks) as the eye gradually adapts to the artificial lens. To give you a verdict, LASIK is a more painless and hassle-free procedure than laser implants.
Post-Surgery Complications: Which is the Safer Option?
Both options, LASIK and lens implants, are widely regarded as safe, providing reassurance to those considering vision correction. LASIK, in particular, is generally considered safer, with a 96% success rate and a less-invasive procedure. However, it’s important to be aware that if complications arise, LASIK surgery is irreversible because it involves sculpting and reshaping the corneal tissue.
Lens implants are highly safe but slightly invasive, so complications are more likely to arise. What is the downside of lens replacement surgery? The implant procedure can cause side effects such as lens dislocation, cataracts, and infection. However, refractive lens exchange is reversible, and the artificial lens can be removed in case of complications.
Cheaper Surgery: LASIK vs Lense Replacement Cost
Both procedures are relatively similar in cost but can fluctuate based on what type of lens is chosen. Your expert ophthalmologist at Bagan Strinden Vision will be able to help you make an informed decision for your vision.
Prescription Severity: LASIK Eye Surgery vs. Lens Implants
Both precise lens extraction (CLE) and laser treatment can help decrease your reliance on lenses or eyeglasses. While laser eye surgery offers a more hassle-free experience, it is not very practical for people with a thin cornea, presbyopia, and higher prescription. For age-related vision problems and severe refractive errors, refractive lens exchange/precise lens extraction is usually more effective. For cataract surgery, intraocular lenses help patients improve their vision by replacing the damaged lens.
Ideal Patients for Different Vision Correction Surgeries
The suitability of LASIK surgery or lens implants for a patient depends on several factors, including the overall health of the eye, the intensity of the refractive error, and corneal thickness. The amount of correction needed for the eye’s vision and focus also plays a crucial role in determining which procedure will work best. Therefore, it’s always advisable to consult an eye specialist before making a decision.
Laser Eye Surgery
LASIK surgery suits people with mild to moderate myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. The patient must have a healthy eye and corneal tissues at least 400–500 microns thick to undergo laser corneal surgery.
Phakic IOL Implant
Patients who are highly myopic (nearsighted), have severe astigmatism or AMD and have narrow corneal thickness are usually not good candidates for Lasik surgery. Phakic IOLs, also known as implantable contact lenses, are then used to correct the eye’s refractive errors through CLE(transparent lens exchange) or RLE (refractive lens exchange). Remember that phakic IOLs (also known as implantable contact lenses) are placed behind the iris, in front of the eye’s lens, and do not require removal of the eye’s natural lens.
IOL Implant
In cataract surgery, the cloudy lens is surgically removed and replaced with an intraocular lens (IOL). People with presbyopia, early glaucoma, ocular hypertension (OHT), and associated eye diseases can also benefit from IOL implants.
Will I Need Reading Glasses after LASIK or a Lens Implant?
After laser eye surgery like LASIK, you may still need your reading glasses because of age-related vision loss due to conditions like presbyopia, macular degeneration, and other conditions. You may also need reading glasses in case of a standard lens implant. However, multifocal lens implants significantly reduce or eliminate their need.
Bottom Line: Is LASIK Better or Lens Implants?
Lens implants and LASIK both have pros and cons. While LASIK is more hassle-free and takes less time to heal, procedures like refractive lens exchange can accommodate patient restrictions and work well for high prescriptions, cataracts, and age-related problems. Various factors, such as age, general health, eye health, and prescription severity, will determine your best vision correction treatment.
Bagan Strinden Vision: Enhanced Vision with Safe Procedures
At Bagan Strinden Vision, our expert surgeons provide personalized consultations to help you determine the best vision correction option. With over 30 years of experience, our ophthalmologists have helped over 25,000 people with LASIK, lens implants, and cataract surgeries. So, If you are in Fargo, North Dakota, contact or visit our expert eye surgeons at Bagan Strinden Visions for quick, safe, and reliable procedures. If you are in Fargo, North Dakota, contact or visit our specialist eye surgeons for swift, safe, and reliable eye procedures.
