3 Great Alternatives To Eye Glasses

Wearing glasses may not have the associated stigma of nerdiness that it once did, but eye glasses still aren’t an option for everyone. Some people perform jobs in which eye glasses can get in the way or create a potential hazard. Other people may have severe headaches caused by the way their glasses fit. Then there are the people who just don’t like the way they look. It doesn’t really matter what your reason is for not wanting to wear glasses. What’s important is that you know you have other options.

Refractive Surgery

Whether you have farsightedness or nearsightedness, you could be a candidate for a vision altering procedure known as refractive surgery, or LASIK.  During refractive surgery, your doctor will reshape the curvature of your cornea with the help of lasers. The procedure has a fast recovery time and the discomfort it causes is relatively minor.

Cataract Surgery

Many people with cataracts do fine with glasses, but as cataracts advance, it may become harder to find a prescription that allows for clear vision. Cataracts can happen at any age, but they become more common after the age of 50.

Cataract surgery is painless and only takes about 15 minutes. During the procedure, the eye’s natural lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens. This is achieved by cutting into the side of the cornea and breaking the damaged lens into fragments using a laser. The fragments are suctioned away and the artificial lens is inserted behind the pupil and iris.

ICL Surgery

ICL is an acronym for implantable contact lens, and that’s exactly what ICL vision correction accomplishes. Nothing is removed from the eye, but a lens is inserted behind the pupil and iris where it will remain without the need for maintenance or cleaning. It simply becomes another part of the eye for the remainder of the patient’s life.

ICL surgery is a good option for nearsightedness and can provide a better outcome for some patients over refractive surgery, as it offers a higher quality of vision. People that have a thin cornea or dry eyes normally aren’t good candidates for refractive surgery, but have no issues receiving ICL vision correction.

The technology for vision impairments is constantly evolving, as are the procedures for existing treatments. There is no one size fits all when it comes to vision correction. Many people remain content to wear glasses or contact lenses. For others, they appreciate the freedom corrective surgery offers.