Laser eye surgery after cataract surgery: fine-tuning your result

Modern cataract and lens surgery hits its target in most eyes, but some people are left with a small amount of short sight, long sight or astigmatism. If glasses are not acceptable, laser can often fine-tune the result.

First, find out why vision is not right

Before any laser, Ms Pearsall checks that blur really is a prescription problem. Other common causes include dry eye, posterior capsule opacification (treated with YAG laser), macular swelling, or a lens implant that has shifted. See blurry vision after cataract surgery.

Timing

The eye needs to be healed and the prescription stable — typically at least three months after cataract surgery, with two consistent measurements.

Which laser?

LASIK or surface laser (PRK or LASEK) are used depending on corneal thickness and health. With multifocal or trifocal lenses, even small errors matter more, so precise correction is especially valuable. See PRK vs LASIK.

Alternatives

Glasses or contact lenses for specific tasks; a second 'piggyback' lens implant in front of the first; or, rarely, lens exchange. Each has different trade-offs, so an independent assessment is worthwhile — see how a second opinion works.

If you had laser eye surgery many years ago and now need cataract surgery, the reverse situation needs special lens calculations — see cataract surgery after LASIK.

Seeing Ms Tahmina Pearsall

Ms Pearsall performs both cataract surgery and laser eye surgery, and assesses patients whose result needs fine-tuning.

Ms Tahmina Pearsall is a consultant ophthalmic surgeon who qualified in 1993 and has more than 30 years of experience and over 50,000 procedures performed. She trained at Moorfields Eye Hospital, St Thomas' Hospital and Addenbrooke's Hospital, and sees private patients at multiple clinic locations, including Harley Street in London. Read her full credentials.

Ms Pearsall sees patients at Harley Street, London and other clinic locations. Patients travel from across the UK, including Brighton & Hove and Liverpool, and from Jersey and Guernsey and the Isle of Man.

The first telephone enquiry is free — arrange a free initial call to explain what happened and check whether a review is likely to help. A full clinical consultation with Ms Pearsall costs £250. Treatment prices are listed on the pricing page and confirmed in writing after examination.

This article is general information written for patients and does not replace an individual examination.