If you are considering laser eye surgery the first thing you need to do is to find out if you are a LASIK candidate. All it takes is a consultation with a specialist to answer that question for you. However, what if you are not? Does that mean you have to live with weak eyesight for the rest of your life? Fortunately for you, even if you are not a LASIK candidate, other options exist for you that can treat your vision. Here are your options if you do not qualify for LASIK.
Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)
PRK became one of the most actively sought alternatives to LASIK. It is especially recommended for people who have thin corneas or to those who have an active lifestyle. PRK and LASIK use the same technology for reshaping the cornea and according to the studies conducted in this field, both the procedures are equally effective. The only crucial difference between LASIK and PRK is that while the former creates a corneal flap before the application of excimer laser for reshaping the cornea, the latter only provides laser treatment to the outermost layer of the cornea. The recovery time is slightly longer, up to 7 days.
Implantable Collamer® Lens (ICL)
What if you don’t qualify for LASIK or PRK? There came another possibility with the advancement in technology that helped people with high eyeglass prescriptions could undergo the ICL treatment. ICL is not based on corneal surgeries. Instead, it uses the process of artificial lens that is placed inside the eye through surgical process. ICL can also be called a permanent contact lens solution that does not require regular maintenance. The entire procedure lasts for 15 minutes and can offer intense improvements to the vision.
Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)
If you are suffering from high degree of farsightedness, then this is a good procedure for you. RLE is also a good alternative for people experiencing a natural weakness in their vision due to age that affects the ability to read small fonts. In this procedure, a natural lens is replaced with intraocular lens that helps in correction of farsightedness, astigmatism, nearsightedness and eliminates the need for reading glasses. RLE can be a good option, even if you qualify for laser eye surgery.
Cataract Surgery
As you age, the cataract forms naturally that can cause overall blurriness of eyesight. This condition is fully reversible by removal of cataract and replacing it with IOL or intraocular lens. Through IOL, you not only treat the blurred vision but also the nearsightedness/farsightedness issues.
Even though LASIK is highly popular, these are some of the options only your eye specialist can recommend upon examination. When choosing an eye surgeon, make sure that they are qualified in all the aspects to offer you the most suitable solution depending upon your individual case. Sugarland Eye & Laser Center in Houston comes highly recommended for people who need reliable experts for their vision correction. For the best treatment, it is necessary that you fully review your specialist before you go ahead with the procedure.
Sugarland Eye & Laser Center leads in providing premium LASIK technologies to Houston, Sugar Land, and the surrounding region. The center’s award-winning medical director introduced revolutionary technologies such as iLASIK to the region. This technology is used by NASA astronauts, Navy SEALS and Air Force fighter pilots. At Sugar Land Eye & Laser Center, you can now receive the same treatment. For more information, please call (281) 240-0478.
Via:
