If you’re considering vision correction surgery, you may be wondering whether lens replacement or laser eye surgery is right for you. Both procedures can correct refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia (ageing eyes). But they work in different ways and have different benefits. Which type of eye surgery is right for you? That depends on a number of factors, including your specific vision problem, your overall health, and – to a degree – your personal preferences. Here’s a closer look at lens replacement and laser eye surgery to help you decide which might be the best option for you. How laser eye surgery works Laser eye surgery can correct most vision problems apart from cataracts. The procedure works by reshaping the cornea, the clear outer layer of the eye. Reshaping the cornea changes the way the eye focuses light, correcting refractive errors. The surgery itself is faster than lens replacement, with most patients returning to daily activities within 48 hours. It’s also a less invasive procedure than lens replacement, so there is a lower risk of side effects. We offer popular and exclusive laser surgeries such as TransPRK, LASIK, Smartsight and laser blended vision, and more. However, if you’re wanting to correct presbyopia, then laser blended vision is the procedure we’ll likely recommend. LASIK, SMILE and SmartSight will not correct the symptoms of ageing eyes. How lens replacement surgery works Lens replacement surgery involves replacing the natural lens of the eye with an artificial one called an IOL. This type of surgery is usually for people with presbyopia who aren’t eligible for our laser-blended option, or would prefer a long-term solution. We expect the results of the laser-blended procedure to last for 10 years (+) for most, whereas lens replacement is for life. Patients can get back to daily activities fairly quickly but the overall healing time is longer than most laser procedures. Another benefit of lens replacement surgery is that it addresses multiple vision problems at once. Beyond presbyopia, it also treats nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. RLE (refractive lens exchange) can also tackle more severe refractive errors that lasers cannot. Furthermore, lens replacement will eliminate your need for cataract surgery in the future. Talk to our surgeon about which option is best for you When it comes to choosing between lens replacement and laser eye surgery, there are pros and cons to each procedure. Don’t worry if you’re having trouble deciding. Your surgeon, after a thorough consultation, will make a recommendation. Are you interested in having your eyesight improved? Call us today for a free assessment. We’ll be able to help identify what’s best suited just for you.