Do you want to get rid of your glasses for good? Or maybe you don’t want to wear contact lenses anymore? Different treatment methods can correct your vision and set you free from wearing glasses or contact lenses. With various laser and non-laser surgeries, a surgeon can correct your eyesight and ensure that you no longer need to wear specs ever again.
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1. Photorefractive Keratectomy
Photorefractive Keratectomy or PRK is the predecessor of the now-popular LASIK surgery. In this process, the eye surgeon removes a thin outer layer of your cornea, reshapes the corneal tissue underneath using a laser beam, and lets the cornea heal for a few days. Reshaping your cornea ensures that your vision is now better than before, and you won’t need to wear specs or contact lenses after the recovery period. Although this is an effective method, many eye surgeons recommend LASIK surgery, as Photorefractive Keratectomy requires a longer recovery.
2. LASIK Surgery
LASIK surgery or Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis is one of the most cost-effective and popular eye surgeries that can correct your vision. In this method, the eye surgeon uses a laser beam to remove your underlying corneal surface by creating a thin flap on your cornea. Next, he will lift the flap to reveal your underlying corneal tissues and reshape the cornea using the laser beam. Next, he will place the flap back on your cornea and allow it to heal for a few days. A LASIK surgery has a shorter recovery period than Photorefractive Keratectomy and is popular among senior citizens.
2. Refractive Lens Exchange
A refractive lens exchange also goes by the names Refractive Lensectomy or Clear Lens Exchange. It’s a lens replacement surgery for those who don’t qualify for laser-based vision correction surgeries like LASIK and Photorefractive Keratectomy. In this procedure, the eye surgeon makes an incision of approximately 3 mm in your eye and discards your natural crystalline lens. Next, he will insert an artificial intraocular lens in place of the natural crystalline lens just behind the iris.
The artificial intraocular lens works as your glasses or contact lens as they correct your vision. Your surgeon will personalize the power of the artificial intraocular lens according to your vision. This treatment is ideal for those who have hyperopia, presbyopia, astigmatism, or myopia.
3. Orthokeratology
Orthokeratology or Ortho-K is a vision-correction technique that involves wearing a unique lens at night when you sleep. This treatment method is for those who don’t want a laser or non-laser vision correction procedures. The specially designed lens gently reshapes your cornea over time and allows you to see more clearly. However, it’s a quick process, and the effect of the lens lasts for a maximum of a couple of days.
It’s reassuring to know that plenty of options exist to correct your poor vision. However, make sure to consult with an expert to help you determine which of these procedures best fits your needs.
