Vision Correction

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Vision Correction

As you understand by now that the laser eye treatment may not be suitable for everyone especially when you have thin corneas, high degrees of aberration, dry eyes etc. In these situations the consulting surgeon will be able to suggest various alternatives fit in either of the categories listed below:

• The category where the natural lens of the eye is retained

• The category where the natural lens of the eye is replaced

These categories have a disadvantage as well, because of the fact that these are intra-ocular treatments; there is a remote chance that surgery may introduce an infection into the eye.

The category where the natural lens of the eye is retained

This category is most commonly known as ICL ( Implantable Contact Lens ) or Phakic ICL, where a contact lens is implanted inside your eye without replacing the natural lens; against the conventional contact lens that sit on the surface of your eye. You will be able to recovery normally within a couple of weeks.

Although ICL may not achieve the visual acuity of 20/20, it could significantly improve the vision if you have a high-degree of aberration (ranging from 8 to 20 dioptres) and not eligible for any procedures involving laser treatment.

This procedure has an advantage that it is possible to remove or replace an ICL if you don't like the results, so that the vision is reversed back to the original condition prior to the treatment, but the treatment with LASIK cannot be reversed. Statistics also show that there is lesser number of night vision and glaring related complaints from patients than LASIK.

The category where the natural lens of the eye is replaced

Under this category you have two options to choose depending on the condition of your eye and the consulting surgeon's advise. They are, RLR (Refractive Lens Replacement) or CLR (Clear Lens Replacement) and PRELEX ( PREsbyopic Lens EXchange ).

Fixed-Focus RLR may be a preferred choice if you are above 40 years of age and don't prefer to have a multi-focal lens. You may have to use reading glasses to see the images that are closer.

Monovision RLR may be another preferred technique for you if you are aged 40 and above; where one eye is corrected for distance vision and the other eye is corrected for near vision. You are recommended to have your eyes tested with monovision contact lenses to determine the suitability and desirability, before the surgery.

Multi-Focal RLR or PRELEX is aimed to help if you have developed a condition called presbyopia , either by nature or after you have had a laser vision correction. This procedure replaces your eye's natural lens with a multi-focal intra-ocular lens.

Accommodative RLR is aimed to give you the ability to accommodate clear vision. A healthy eye changes its shape automatically to maintain the clear vision of objects, far and near. The ability to accommodate deteriorates, as we get older. Unlike conventional artificial lenses, the lenses used in this procedures are able to accommodate on an artificial basis so you can focus on far as well as near objects.

Cataract surgery is aimed to remove the cloudiness formes on the eye lens; by replacing your eye's natural lens with a synthetic lens. The vision is similar to looking through a dirty camera lens. The cloudiness increases with the age if not treated and there is no other alternative than this surgery.

Bilateral Treatment

If you are planning to have your both eyes treated, then you need to know certain things about whether to treat them simulteneously or sequentially. This page gives a general idea about pros and cons of bilateral treatments and helps you to make a choice for yourself with the help of the surgeon.

Patients and Surgeons around the world use their own knowledge, experience, philosophy and convenience to make a decision on whether to have both the eyes treated at the same time or to leave a gap.

Clearly, there are two groups of patients and surgeons, the ones who support the idea of simultaneous bilateral treatment and the others who don't. The following table explains the arguments from both the parties:

Surgeons supporting Sequential Treatments	Surgeons supporting Bilateral Simulataneous Treatments
It's safer to wait until the outcome of the first eye is known. There is a possibility of producing refractive output closer to Emmetropia in the second eye treated after analysing the results from the first eye.	There are various reasons why the complications arise and so although the sequential surgery allows the surgeon to analyse the treatment of the first eye, it does not necessarily reduce the risk on the second eye.
Early binocularity is a convenience, but not a health condition. So not having early binocularity is an acceptable one.	Early binocularity is appreciated by most of the patients and it makes the patience life easier.
Bilateral infection is possible with bilateral surgery.	Bilateral infections are catastrophically complicated, but sufficiently rare that the risk is acceptable.
Patients medical conditions are more important than the conveniences.	Sequential treatments may take longer (up to a week) to recover and it's an inconvenience for the patients.
Contact lens could be used for the untreated eye to reduce the disorientation during the gap between the treatments.	Patients with high ametropia in their eyes may complain disorientation and uncomfortable vision if sequential eye treatments are performed.

It seems that the points expressed by those supporting sequential treatments are the philosophies of surgeons and no clinically important differences found in terms of refractive and visual outcomes.

The LASIK bilateral treatment could treat refractive errors up to -10 dioptres. So consult the surgeon and find out what is the best practice for your eyes before making a decision on your own.