Cataract Surgery vs. Laser Eye Surgery: Understanding the Differences

Cataract surgery involves removing the eye's lens and replacing it with an intraocular lens. Laser surgery involves changing the cornea's shape by making tiny cuts along the cornea's surface.

Types

• The most commonly performed laser eye surgery is LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) surgery. Phacoemulsification (phaco), also known as small incision cataract surgery, is the most common type of cataract surgery performed.

Function

• Cataract surgery removes cataracts, improving the clarity of your vision. Laser surgery, on the other hand, corrects vision problem such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatisms.

Results

• Ninety percent of people who undergo cataract surgery show improved vision, according to the National Eye Institute. Around 80 percent of people undergoing laser surgery can stop using glasses and contacts for most activities, reports the Mayo Clinic.

Considerations

• People with conditions like cataracts and glaucoma are not candidates for the laser eye surgery procedures.

Recovery

• It takes about eight weeks to heal after cataract surgery. Laser eye surgery has a longer recovery time, taking up to six months to see complete results.