I am scheduled for cataract surgery next week. I previously had RK. The cataract surgeon also performed my RK over 10 years ago. After reading some of the posted messages I don't feel very good about the operation. What are the chances of the operation going well? I'm aware the calculations for IOL implant can be tricky.

The calculations for the IOL depend on the original corneal curvature and the axial length of the eye. Your original surgeon has the former but rarely is the latter finding determined prior to refractive surgery. At the present time there is no way to nail the IOL power. Some surgeons may perform a supplemental procedure, inserting a piggyback IOL to make up for any over or under correction. It is an extra step but, to my knowledge, there is no other way to do this.

This type of thing will come up more and more as RS patients age and develop cataracts.

Don't be too apprehensive about the surgery. Since your cataract surgeon is also your RK surgeon, he probably has experience with post-RK cataract surgery.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dr. DavOD Hartzok,

Cataract surgery for you is not a big deal. The only problem will be it is not as easy to get the perfect refractive outcome that we tend to get these days.

Any decent corneal specialist will be aware of the problems and know how to deal with them.

I have a few RK patients that have now had surgery and they have had good outcomes.