Why Get LASIK vs Lens Replacement?

You want to be free from glasses and contact lenses. But should you choose LASIK—or lens replacement?

At Elite LASIK & Cataract, we offer both. Each has its place. The best option depends on your eyes, your age, and your goals.

Let’s break down the key differences—and how to decide what’s right for you.

What is LASIK?

LASIK is a laser vision correction procedure. It reshapes the front surface of your eye (the cornea) to correct short-sight, long-sight, and astigmatism.

It’s quick. It’s comfortable. And it’s a great option for people under 45 with healthy eyes.

What is lens replacement?

Lens replacement (also called refractive lens exchange or RLE) is a procedure where we remove the natural lens inside your eye and replace it with an artificial lens.

It’s similar to cataract surgery. It’s ideal for people over 50 who want to fix their vision long-term and avoid cataracts in future.

Age matters

If you’re in your 20s, 30s, or early 40s, LASIK is usually the better choice. Your natural lens is still clear. You’re likely to get excellent results with laser correction.

But once you hit your mid-40s, your natural lens begins to stiffen. This leads to presbyopia, where it gets harder to see up close. That’s when lens replacement might become a better long-term solution.

Vision goals

What do you want your vision to be like?

• If you’re tired of glasses and want clear distance vision, LASIK might be perfect.
• If you’re bothered by reading glasses, LASIK might not solve that.
• If you want to fix near and far vision—and never worry about cataracts again—lens replacement might be the way to go.

Longevity of results

LASIK results are long-lasting—but they don’t stop natural ageing.

You might need reading glasses later in life, even if LASIK was a success. Lens replacement, on the other hand, offers a permanent solution to both distance and near vision. And once your natural lens is gone, you’ll never get cataracts.

Eye health and suitability

We’ll do a full eye health check before recommending either option. Some eyes are better suited to one procedure over the other.

For example:

• If you have early cataracts—lens replacement is the better choice.
• If you have dry eyes or thin corneas—you might not be suitable for LASIK.
• If your prescription is very high—lens replacement might be safer and more effective.

Recovery and downtime

Both procedures are fast. LASIK takes a few minutes per eye, and most people see well the next day.

Lens replacement takes a bit longer to recover. Vision may fluctuate for a few days, and you may need drops for a few weeks.

Take the Next Step

You don’t have to decide alone.

Take our quick self-test to see which procedure might be right for you.