What are the best choices for lens implants (IOLs) for people who will have cataract surgery and have also had RK and LASIK yet have poor vision?

There is definitely a significant effect on your cataract/IOL (Intraocular lens) surgery from any previous corneal surgery, whether RK, LASIK, or PRK. This is because the cornea will still be providing about 2/3 of the focus, regardless of what type of lens you have. Multifocal IOLs are rarely the best choice for past RK patients because any irregularities in the cornea tend to compromise the optics of the multifocal lens zones. This is still true for many LASIK patients, but there are exceptions contingent on a careful pre-op corneal analysis . Single vision IOLs are fine and it is usually good to try to treat any astigmatism with a toric single vision IOL at the same time.

_Written by J. Trevor Woodhams, M.D. - Chief of Surgery, Woodhams Eye Clinic