More than 600,000 Americans undergo LASIK each year to correct refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. While the procedure is safe and effective, it’s not right for everyone.
For example, LASIK isn’t recommended for people with severe dry eyes or thin corneas. It can be discouraging to learn that you’re not a LASIK candidate, but the good news is that there are other effective vision correction options.
At Wide Eye Optometry in Encino, Santa Clarita, and Palmdale, California, Mary Demirjian, OD, and our expert team specialize in helping patients find the LASIK alternative that best matches their vision correction needs. Read on to explore some of the best options available.
LASIK has been a popular vision correction treatment for more than 30 years, but certain factors may disqualify you as a candidate, including:
These and other factors can increase the risk of surgical complications and slow healing. Since the goal of LASIK is to improve your vision safely, it’s important to explore alternatives if the procedure presents unnecessary risks.
If we determine that LASIK could put your vision at risk, we develop a personalized treatment plan that works for you. Depending on your age, medical history, and needs, we may suggest:
LASIK surgery uses a laser to create a flap in the cornea — the clear, dome-shaped area at the front of the eye — and then reshapes the tissue under it to correct refractive errors.
PRK also uses a laser, but instead of creating a flap, it removes the outer layer of the cornea and reshapes it directly. As a result, it’s often recommended for people with thin corneas and those who may be more likely to experience LASIK complications.
We often prescribe implantable collamer lenses (ICLs) to people with nearsightedness and/or astigmatism. These small, biocompatible lenses are placed inside your eye behind the iris and in front of the natural lens. The procedure is minimally invasive, providing sharper vision immediately, and the lenses can be removed at any time if needed.
You may be a candidate for refractive lens exchange (RLE) if you’re over 40 and have presbyopia (age-related farsightedness) or another severe refractive error. This procedure replaces your eyes’ natural lens with an artificial intraocular lens, similar to cataract surgery. This sharpens your vision and also significantly reduces your risk of cataracts later in life.
Sometimes, glasses or contact lenses are the easiest and most effective way to treat refractive errors, especially if you prefer a noninvasive approach. Advances in lens technology, such as progressive lenses and blue light blockers, can reduce eye strain and keep your vision sharp.
Interested in exploring LASIK alternatives? Call or click online to schedule an eye exam at your nearest Wide Eye Optometry office in Encino, Santa Clarita, or Palmdale, California, today.