Are you looking forward to decreasing your dependence on glasses or contact lenses? Then you’re probably wondering which vision surgery is the best option for your lifestyle.
These procedures are tailored to meet specific needs, and knowing more about the available choices can help you make an informed decision about your journey to clear, unencumbered vision. Keep reading to learn more about which vision surgery is right for your lifestyle.
Vision surgery refers to procedures that correct refractive errors, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Refractive errors occur when light entering your eye doesn't bend properly, preventing it from focusing directly on your retina.
As a result, you may find it challenging to see at certain distances due to distorted or blurred vision. Vision surgery changes how your cornea or lens bends or refracts incoming light, allowing it to land sharply on your retina.
After vision correction surgery, you will be able to experience life with clearer vision and less dependence on visual aids.
There are different kinds of vision surgery, including LASIK, PRK, and EVO ICL, designed to give you greater freedom from visual aids. While they all aim to reduce your dependence on glasses and contacts, each procedure uses a different approach and has unique candidacy requirements.
LASIK is a popular vision surgery that corrects astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness, significantly decreasing or eliminating your reliance on glasses or contact lenses.
Your cornea fellowship-trained LASIK surgeon will use a femtosecond laser to make a protective corneal flap, on the front layer of your eye. This structure is transparent and similar to a windshield in terms of function. . They’ll then reshape the underlying tissue with a very strong light , known as an excimer laser.
Reshaping your cornea alters how light bends and focuses on your retina, leading to improved vision. Finally, your cornea fellowship trained LASIK surgeon will carefully smoothe the corneal flap into proper position. The cornea will naturally heal during the recovery process without the need for stitches. Your cornea fellowship trained surgeon will determine the specific post operative drop regimen that ensures your safest and best results.
Not everyone can undergo LASIK. The procedure may be right for you if you meet the following criteria:
If LASIK isn’t the right fit for you, procedures like PRK and EVO ICL can be excellent alternatives.
PRK is a vision surgery that’s just as effective and safe as LASIK and with very similar outcomes. But unlike LASIK, no flap is created in PRK.
During PRK, your cornea fellowship trained surgeon will partially remove the epithelium or outermost layer of your cornea. After that, they'll reshape the tissue underneath with a very strong light, or laser.
Like in LASIK, modifying the shape of your cornea during PRK corrects your refractive error, allowing light entering your eye to focus precisely on your retina, which improves your vision.
Once complete, your PRK surgeon will place a bandage contact lens to protect your eye as the epithelium regenerates naturally during your healing process.
You can be an ideal candidate for PRK if you meet the following requirements:
EVO ICL is an additive technology that addresses moderate to severe nearsightedness and astigmatism. It offers a different approach to vision correction.
Unlike PRK or LASIK, EVO ICL doesn’t involve reshaping your cornea, the front lens of the eye. Instead, a biocompatible lens is implanted behind your cornea and into the front part of your eye.
First, your EVO ICL surgeon will create a tiny 3 millimeter opening at the edge of your cornea. Through that opening, they’ll position the lens in front of the natural crystalline lens of your eye and behind your iris, which is the colored part of your eye.
The lens is biocompatible and works in harmony with your eye’s natural focusing system to accurately focus light on your retina, providing sharp, clear, unassisted vision.
You may be a suitable EVO ICL candidate if you:
Finding the right vision correction surgery is a personal decision that depends on your unique eyes, daily life, and what matters most to you. However, the most important step is working with an experienced fellowship trained corneal eye surgeon, like Dr. Trey Nunnery at Providence Eye & Laser Specialists. Your surgeon will who can carefully evaluate which procedures might work best for your situation.
Your eye doctor will look at several key factors, including how strong your prescription is, how thick your corneas are, your pupil size, and your overall eye health. This thorough evaluation process is crucial because it helps ensure both your safety and the best possible outcomes.
Not everyone is a good candidate for every type of surgery, and identifying the right match for your eyes is what leads to successful outcomes. For example, if your corneas are on the thinner side, your surgeon might suggest PRK instead of LASIK.
Your daily activities and hobbies matter too. If you're active in martial arts or contact sports, PRK could be ideal.. If you like the idea of a procedure that can be reversed if needed, EVO ICL offers that flexibility. Think about what kind of recovery experience you're comfortable with as well.
The best way to figure out which surgery is right for you is through a thorough consultation. Your surgeon can evaluate your specific needs and help you understand the pros and cons of each option so you can make the choice that feels right for you.
At Providence Eye & Laser Specialists, we specialize in a variety of vision correction procedures, including LASIK, PRK, and EVO ICL. Our experienced surgeon will help you determine which option is the safest and most effective choice for your unique vision needs and lifestyle.
Are you interested in vision surgery? Schedule your free, no-obligation vision surgery consultation at Providence Eye & Laser Specialists in Charlotte, NC, today to discover which procedure can meet the demands of your lifestyle.
