Eyeglasses are great for improving vision while also making a fashion statement, but it’s normal for glasses wearers to want other options for correcting their vision. Fortunately, there are several options besides glasses to treat vision problems.
IntraLASIK is a blade-free approach to LASIK surgery and one of the leading options for correcting vision. While LASIK may be the most well known eye surgery for vision correction, it’s not the only option.
At the Peña Eye Institute, Dr. Raul Peña offers a variety of other procedures in addition to IntraLASIK and eyeglasses for vision correction to patients in Harlingen, TX, and is available to help you with your eye care needs.
What Are My Options Besides Eyeglasses?
If you need vision correction, eyeglasses are not your only option. There are several types of eye surgeries available to correct vision errors, including hyperopia (farsightedness), myopia (nearsightedness), and astigmatism.
Many people are able to give up wearing glasses after surgical vision correction. Some even end up with their vision being better than 20/20 after surgery. With this in mind, let’s look at some options besides eyeglasses to correct vision.
Blade-Free LASIK
Blade-free LASIK, also called IntraLASIK, is a minor surgical procedure that corrects vision by permanently changing the shape of the cornea, treating vision problems including hyperopia, myopia, and astigmatism.
During the procedure, patients are kept comfortable with anesthetic eye drops. A flap is then made in the cornea and the tissue is folded back. Next, an excimer laser is used to precisely correct the shape of the corneal tissue and improve vision. Once the proper shape is achieved, the flap is replaced, where it will heal without any need for sutures.
Clear Lens Exchange
Clear Lens Exchange is a surgical procedure similar to cataract surgery in which the natural lens of the eye is replaced with an artificial lens called an IOL (intraocular lens implant).
During Clear Lens Exchange, the eyes are numbed with anesthetic eye drops. A small incision is made in the eye, and the natural lens is removed and replaced with an IOL. Surgery can be completed in as little as 15 minutes.
Clear Lens Exchange can correct myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia (age-related farsightedness), and astigmatism, and is often a good option for those who are not ideal candidates for blade-free LASIK.
Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL)
The Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) is another surgical option for correcting vision. Using the Visian ICL, our Harlingen eye surgeon can treat patients with extreme refractive errors.
During ICL surgery, the eyes are numbed and a small incision is made. The ICL is then placed inside the eye, sitting between the iris and natural lens. Unlike Clear Lens Exchange, the natural lens is left in place. The ICL sits over the natural lens to correct vision problems.
Candidates for Eye Surgery
Because there are several options for surgically correcting vision, many people are good candidates for eye surgery.
When considering any eye surgery for vision correction, patients must undergo an eye exam. Factors like corneal thickness, overall eye health, and general health issues, like uncontrolled diabetes, will be considered when determining if eye surgery is right for a patient, as well as which type of surgery is best for their needs.
Find Out Which Treatments Are Right for You
If you are tired of wearing glasses and want to learn more about other options for correcting your vision, we welcome you to schedule a consultation at the Peña Eye Institute in Harlingen.
