Ready to Ditch Your Lenses 4 Vision-Correction Procedures to Consider

Are you tired of those red marks on your nose from your glasses or wasting precious time putting your contact lenses in every morning? Vision-correction surgery, which works by re-shaping the cornea so that light can focus properly on the retina, could be the right solution for you. Read on to learn about four procedures that can permanently relegate those frames to the donation bin.

Photorefractive keratectomy was the first laser vision-correction procedure on the market and is still a great choice for many patients, such as those with thin corneas or chronic dry eye. PRK removes the thin outer layer of the cornea so that the tissues underneath can be re-shaped. This procedure can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

The current go-to vision correction surgery is called LASIK, which stands for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. This procedure is very similar to PRK, but instead of removing the outer layer of the cornea, a small flap is cut to access the underlying tissue. LASIK offers faster healing times and less pain than PRK. However, it does come with a higher risk of chronic dry eye following the procedure.

If you were previously told that your vision problems are too severe for PRK or LASIK, you may be a good candidate for a new procedure called ICL. ICL refers to the implantable collamer lens that is permanently placed in the eye to correct moderate to severe cases of nearsightedness. Because there is no cutting or removal of the outer corneal layer, patients are less likely to experience dry eyes and other side effects. ICL is best suited for nearsighted patients between the ages of 21 and 45.

Small Incision Lenticule Extraction, better known by the acronym SMILE, uses advanced laser technology to make a thin layer called a lenticule in the cornea. Then a tiny incision is made through which the lenticule is extracted, correcting the patient’s vision. SMILE results in faster healing time, less discomfort, and a lower risk of dry eye. This procedure works best for nearsighted patients and cannot correct farsightedness.

If you’re ready to ditch your lenses and one of these procedures sounds right for you, contact an eye care center today to discuss your options. Depending on which procedure you chose, you could be back to work without your glasses or contacts in as little as a few days following surgery.