If you have been imagining a life with less dependence on contact lenses or glasses, it can be disappointing to be told that you are not a candidate for LASIK. However, the road to better vision does not stop at LASIK!
While it may be a well-known name in vision correction surgery, there are several other types of procedures that are also clinically proven to allow you to break free from contact lenses or glasses.
LASIK Alternatives
At Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center, we offer a range of surgical options for vision correction. Depending on your individual needs and goals, one of these vision correction procedures could be perfect for you:
EVO ICL Lens
EVO ICL Lens is an Implantable Collamer® Lens that offers many benefits, especially for patients who cannot have LASIK due to a high level of myopia (nearsightedness), thin corneas, or dry eye. EVO ICL does not cause dry eye symptoms.[1] EVO ICL also offers UV protection, and 99.4% of EVO ICL patients surveyed said they would have the procedure again.[2]
EVO ICL is implanted behind the iris (colored part of your eye) in front of the eye’s natural lens during a procedure that lasts approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Most patients experience near-immediate vision improvement with minimal recovery time and do not see or feel it once it is in place. Unlike LASIK, which permanently changes the shape of the cornea, EVO ICL is an additive technology that can be removed by your doctor if needed. Ideal candidates for EVO ICL are aged 21 to 45 with moderate to severe nearsightedness (prescription between –3D and –20D) and a prescription that has been stable for at least one year. EVO Toric ICL can also treat the same range of nearsightedness with up to 4.0 D of astigmatism.
PRK
Photo-refractive keratectomy (PRK) is a laser vision correction surgery in which an outer layer of the eye’s surface is removed to avoid an incision in the cornea. Like LASIK, a laser is then used to reshape the cornea to correct refractive errors. Visual improvement and recovery time may take a bit longer than LASIK or EVO ICL procedures, but PRK is still a great option for many people.
PRK may be an option for patients who cannot have LASIK due to thin corneas, depending on the level of nearsightedness and corneal thickness. D. Ideal candidates for PRK are over 18 and have had a stable prescription for at least one year.
RLE
Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) is a vision correction surgery in which the eye’s natural lens is replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). RLE can correct a range of vision errors depending on the type of IOL that is chosen. This procedure is identical to cataract surgery and is typically performed on one eye at a time.
Choosing the Right Vision Correction Surgery
There are many factors to consider when choosing a vision correction procedure. The best choice for you will depend on your prescription, your lifestyle, and the types of benefits you are seeking. An experienced eye doctor can explain your options and recommend a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Contact us with any questions or to schedule an appointment.
Important Safety Information
The ICL and EVO ICL lens is intended to correct/reduce nearsightedness between -3.0 up to -20.0 D and treat astigmatism from 1.0 D to 4.0 D. If you have nearsightedness within these ranges, ICL and EVO ICL surgery may improve your distance vision without eyeglasses or contact lenses. Because the ICL and EVO ICL correct distance vision, it does not eliminate the need for reading glasses, you may require them at some point, even if you have never worn them before. Since the implantation of the ICL and EVO ICL is a surgical procedure, before considering ICL and EVO ICL surgery you should have a complete eye examination and talk with your eye care professional about ICL and EVO ICL surgery, especially the potential benefits, risks, and complications. You should discuss the time needed for healing after surgery. Complications, although rare, may include the need for additional surgical procedures, inflammation, loss of cells from the back surface of the cornea, increase in eye pressure, and cataracts. You should NOT have ICL and EVO ICL surgery if your doctor determines that 1) the shape of your eye is not appropriate, 2) you do not meet the minimum endothelial cell density for your age at the time of implantation, or 3) your vision is not stable; or if you are pregnant or nursing.
For additional information with potential benefits, risks and complications, please visit DiscoverICL.com
[1] Naves, J.S. Carracedo, G. Cacho-Babillo, I. Diadenosine Nucleotid Measurements as Dry-Eye Score in Patients After LASIK and ICL Surgery. Presented at American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) 2012.
[2] Packer M. The Implantable Collamer Lens with a central port: a review of the literature. Clinical Ophthalmology. 2018: 12: 2427–2438.