So You’re Not a Candidate for LASIK. Now What?
- Posted on: Dec 30 2018
LASIK surgery has become so well-known that, when a patient is told they are not a good candidate for this procedure, they may not know what to do. Fortunately, we do. Here, we discuss why LASIK may not be suited to certain individuals and what might be considered as an alternative.
The fact that LASIK is a good treatment option for many people does not mean there is something “wrong” with your eyes if you don’t fit into that category. Reasons that some patients are not ideal candidates for LASIK laser vision correction include a prescription that is out of range with the capabilities of the procedure, irregular or thin corneas, ocular pathology, or expectations that are out of the scope of LASIK capabilities. In such situations, we consider which alternatives might be better at achieving the desired outcome.
Visian ICL™ for Better Vision
This procedure situates an intraocular contact lens into the eye. Visian ICL is not a lens replacement; the natural lens is left intact and the ICL is implanted in between that crystalline lens and the iris of the eye. The implant procedure is conducted in the office in about 15 minutes. Patients are completely comfortable because the eye is numbed with topical anesthetic drops. Once in place, the intraocular contact lens enhances the focusing power of the eye, leading to better quality and definition. For patients with severe myopia, studies suggest that Visian ICL treatment may even be better than LASIK.
PRK (Photo-Refractive Keratectomy)
Like LASIK, PRK is a laser procedure performed to correct vision. This technique has actually been around longer than LASIK and shares some similarities with that procedure. PRK is conducted with an excimer laser, which gently removes the epithelium, a clear layer of cells that covers the cornea. After this tissue is removed, the cornea is reshaped as needed to correct the refractive error in the eye, and a contact lens is placed over the cornea to act as a bandage until a new layer of epithelial cells develops. This usually occurs within 3 to 4 days.
At Roholt Vision Institute, we offer patients from Alliance, North Canton, and Canfield innovative solutions for vision and eye problems. Call an office near you to explore LASIK alternatives.
Posted in: LASIK