Can Cataract Surgery Fix Nearsightedness?

Although you might feel a little anxious about an upcoming cataract operation, if you’re nearsighted, then this might be just what you need to fix the problem. The same applies if you’re long-sighted, but right now we’re going to concentrate on myopia, which is the clinical name for being nearsighted.

During a cataract procedure, the diseased lens is removed and replaced by an artificial one, called an intraocular lens (IOL). These come with a built-in prescription, which is why cataract surgery and nearsightedness correction go hand-in-hand. There are various types of IOLs for nearsighted vision, including monofocal and bifocal lenses, both of which can be good lens implants for myopia.

Myopia and Cataracts: How an IOL Can Fix the Problem

The easiest way to understand how a cataract operation can correct shortsightedness is to think of the IOL like the lenses you find in eyeglasses. The surgeon will determine your prescription, and this will be built into the IOL that’s implanted in the eye.

If you have what’s known as a monofocal lens, this will give you good focus at either near or far distance. This is usually set to give for far distance, which is ideal if you’re shortsighted, as this is where you have the most focusing problems. If you’re lucky enough not to need any further vision correction close up, then you’ll have a good chance of a reduced—or even zero—reliance on glasses after the operation. Voila…! Cataract surgery will have fixed your nearsightedness (in the eye that’s been operated on).

Of course, you might be nearsighted but still require additional focusing support for close up activities, such as reading, sewing, or working on a computer. This is where the technology of premium lenses can be utilized. These include the above-mentioned bifocal IOLs, but there’s also a wide range of other options that your surgeon can discuss with you.

These include ones with different in-built prescriptions for near, far, and even mid-focus (bi- and trifocal IOLs), ones that use an extended depth of focus (EDOF) that elongates vision to improve near and far eyesight, Toric lenses for astigmatism, and even ones that can have their prescription adjusted while in the eye (light adjustable lenses, or LALs).

All of these can be used to correct nearsightedness, but they do require a slightly different type of cataract procedure, known as laser-assisted cataract surgery.

Everyone’s eyes are different. Even though many people are myopic, meaning far away objects are blurry, the reasons behind it are unique to you. For example, it’s common to have a co-existing astigmatism, or perhaps one eye is shortsighted and the other long. There are also different levels of myopia, along with, perhaps, other preexisting health conditions that may also affect the eye.

The key to having the right lens implanted during cataract surgery that may correct your nearsightedness is to partner with an experienced cataract surgeon who offers both a laser-assisted procedure and has access to the very latest IOLs. The field of lens implants is fast evolving, with more being tested and given FDA approval regularly. However, as with every field of medicine, the most cutting-edge technology is usually rolled out slowly, meaning only the most expert surgeons will often be able to offer them as soon as they come to market.

As one of the leading cataract facilities in the USA, the West Boca Eye Center is at the forefront of surgical innovation. From offering cutting-edge laser-assisted cataract surgery to the latest rollout of IOLs, plus surgical care from one of the world’s preeminent cataract surgeons, Brent Bellotte MD., there’s no better place to entrust your precious vision.

Discover more at https://www.westbocaeyecenter.com/services/cataract-surgery