Non Laser Vision Correction Methods – An Alternative to LASIK Surgery

LASIK eye surgery is the first type of surgery many people think of if they want to be free from contact lenses or glasses but this is not the only option. Some people have eye problems that cannot be corrected by LASIK or another type of laser vision correction and other people have very thin corneas or another medical condition that makes laser eye surgery a no go. Fortunately, there are a number of non laser vision correction options for these patients.

Implantable Contact Lenses

One non laser vision correction procedure is phakic intraocular contact lenses for either near or far sighted patients or those with astigmatism. The surgeon will attach the lens to the iris or put it between the iris and the lens of the eye. You cannot feel these contact lenses and they do not need maintenance. This procedure is reversible if you have any negative effects or they do not seem to work.

The operation itself takes about half an hour and is done under a general or local anesthetic. Most ICL patients have great vision from the following day. This procedure is recommended for some patients who are very short sighted and do not qualify for LASIK because too much of the cornea would have to be removed or people with very thin corneas which would make LASIK risky.

INTACS Corneal Rings

INTACS are tiny C shaped Perspex rings. They reshape the cornea’s curvature when placed inside. INTACS corneal rings can correct mild short sight or improve vision when the patient has keratoconus, a disease where the cornea is distorted.

It takes about thirty minutes to insert INTACS and anesthetic drops are used during this non laser vision correction procedure. It might take several months for your vision to be improved but sometimes happens much faster. This procedure is reversible.

Cataract Eye Surgery and IOLs

A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens in the eye. The light passes through the lens and is scattered, which results in defocused or blurry vision. LASIK is unable to treat cataracts so another type of surgery is required. An artificial lens, known as an intraocular lens or IOL, is implanted into your eye to replace the clouded lens.

The three types of IOL are monofocal which correct one segment (usually long distance vision) of your vision, multifocal which correct a range of vision (from near to long distance) and accommodative lenses which move with the eye and allow a range of focus.

Cataract surgery takes a couple of hours. Your eyes will be treated with anesthetic and eye drops before the operation. During the surgery, a small incision is made in the eye and a tiny instrument is used to remove the lens. The surgeon will then fit the IOL into the eye.

Depending on your eye problem and the level of vision correction necessary, non laser vision correction might be a good idea for you. It is a good idea to discuss various options with your doctor first and listen to his recommendations.

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