SELECTING YOUR BEST VISION CORRECTION OPTION

Are you interested in moving beyond glasses or contacts and considering permanent vision correction? Perhaps your visual aids are interfering with fulfilling your daily responsibilities, your job or hobbies — or perhaps you are simply tired of caring for your glasses or contacts.

There are several options available to permanently correct your vision and provide independence from glasses or contacts. All options provide excellent visual acuity, but each one has its own set of benefits and drawbacks. Read on as Laser Eye Center explains how they compare.

LASIK

Laser assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) permanently reshapes the cornea to improve the eye’s focusing power. First, a flap is created in the surface of the cornea and folded back to reveal the underlying tissue. Next, an excimer laser removes microscopic bits of corneal tissue to reshape the cornea.

Because LASIK technology has evolved considerably, the procedure can now be completely customized to the individual characteristics of your eye. But you might be uncomfortable with the idea of making permanent changes to your eye’s structure. Or, depending on your unique eye anatomy, you may not qualify for LASIK if you have thin corneas or are prone to dry eye.

PRK

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is nearly identical to LASIK, except that no corneal flap is created. The top layer of corneal cells — the epithelial cells — are removed and the underlying tissue is reshaped with laser energy.

Although PRK produces excellent results that are comparable to those of LASIK, the recovery is longer and sometimes slightly uncomfortable as the epithelial cells grow back. Depending on how quickly you want to see results, PRK may not be match up well with your preferred timeline.

IMPLANTABLE COLLAMER LENS

The third option for permanent vision correction is the Visian implantable collamer lens (ICL). Unlike LASIK and PRK, an ICL does not require the removal of eye tissue. Instead, the ICL is permanently implanted in front of your natural lens to correct nearsightedness or astigmatism. The lens is made from a biocompatible collamer material and offers built-in UV protection.

The Vision ICL may be ideal if you have thin corneas or pre-existing dry eye disease. The procedure is quick and well-tolerated, with only one day of downtime. Furthermore, should you need or desire an eye procedure later in life, the lens is removable.

FINDING WHAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU

The vision correction approach that is right for you depends on your unique eyes and your personal preferences. Although you can’t change your refractive error or the thickness of your corneas, you can decide on your goals and priorities. Is a fast recovery important to you? Are you looking for an option that is possible to reverse later in life? Only you know what you need or want from your vision correction.

You don’t have to make this important decision alone. A conversation with one of the doctors at Laser Eye Center can help reveal the most suitable solution for your needs and goals. To schedule a consultation with our world-renowned vision correction experts, please call or email us today.