Alternatives to LASIK Eye Surgery

So you’re not a candidate for LASIK surgery. Don’t worry! There are alternative eye surgeries that will improve your vision. Your eye doctor will determine which procedure would suit you best.

Orthokeratology, also known as Ortho-K, works if you’re nearsighted or have astigmatism. The concept is similar to braces changing the position of crooked teeth. The contact lenses that are custom made for you will change the shapes of your corneas. The process may take from a couple of days to a couple of weeks. Another alternative uses Implantable Contact Lens (ICL). These are also known as phakic IOLs. This procedure is used in cataract surgery. The intraocular lens replaces your damaged lens, and the procedure is good for patients with extreme myopia. And the IOL is permanent, pain free, and boasts a 95% success rate. If your myopia isn’t as extreme, you may still be a candidate for ICL. Your natural lens is left intact. And the Verisyse™ phakic intraocular lens is placed in front of your iris. Another variation of the ICL procedure is Visian ICL™. This is a collagen co-polymer that is injected behind the iris, and is compatible with your natural lens. These two versions of the ICL procedure are completely reversible.

It takes about 30 minutes to embed the Implantable Contact Lens. The recovery time is short, and patients experience only minor pain. The best candidates for this procedure are 21 to 45 years old. Minor to severe myopia can be corrected with ICLs. Of course, even with all these great alternatives, every surgery has risks. Do your homework and decide if surgical vision correction is what you want. Many insurance companies regard vision correction as cosmetic, so ask your insurer if the procedure is covered by your policy.