Non-surgical Alternatives to LASIK

If LASIK is not right for your eyes, or if the thought does not appeal to you, consider contact lenses, Orthokeratology (Ortho-K), or, that old standby, eyeglasses. These options are cheaper, may fit your life better and be less scary than surgery. They are less invasive, less risky, and have the benefit of reversibility.

Setting LASIK aside, consider the variety of contact lens designs for usual and special needs. They are now available in bifocal prescriptions. And, sensitive eyes even have the option of extra thin lenses. There are soft, comfortable lenses that you can discard after a day or a month, and rigid gas permeable lenses that can last years and provide sharper, clearer vision than soft lenses.

Soft lenses absorb moisture and conform to the eye with more ease. They are cheaper initially than rigid lenses, but more expensive in the long run. Some patients count this cost when comparing with LASIK.

Rigid lenses are more durable, but take more getting used to. They are more resistant to buildup of deposits. LASIK deals with astigmatism. With rigid contacts, you can differentiate between the left and right eyes and select toric lenses for astigmatism. Seven-day continuous wear lenses and 30-day continuous wear lenses have recently been approved by the FDA.

LASIK uses surgery to change the shape of the cornea. Ortho-K uses rigid gas permeable contact lenses to train the shape of the cornea. In both, this improves the eye's ability to refract light and focus. While not a permanent result, with continued use, a person's vision may improve drastically, up to 20/40 or even 20/20 vision.

In the beginning of the Ortho-K therapy, the contact lenses are worn about eight hours each day. After LASIK, vision improvement occurs in days. With Ortho-K, as the cornea changes shape over the weeks, improving the vision, the lenses are worn less frequently. Wearing time shortens to a few hours at a stretch every few days. Stopping the use of the Ortho-K lenses causes the corneas to revert to their original state. Occasionaly, the effects of LASIK may fade, too.

Clarity of vision may fluctuate, and it may take several months to change the vision measurably. Accelerated Ortho-K therapy may be used to get the desired effect more rapidly. People with low levels of nearsightedness and/or slight astigmatism are the best candidates for Ortho-K.

If LASIK or contact lenses are not for you, there is another alternative. Sticking with your eyeglasses may be the choice you need make. Eyeglass frames are more durable and flexible than ever. Lenses are lighter, stronger, more scratch resistant. New options for glasses include tinting that changes more rapidly, progressive bifocal lenses, anti-reflective coatings, UV protection and greater impact resistance.

Some advantages to this option are less expense than contact lenses or LASIK surgery, greater ease in changing your mind, and fashion-forward styling. The greatest benefit may be the guarantee that the good eyesight they have provided to you for years can continue indefinitely.

If you cannot have LASIK surgery now, or even if you never choose to have that procedure, these are viable, safe, money-saving choices. Even if you decide to have LASIK surgery at some future date, choosing contact lenses, Ortho-K therapy, or eyeglasses can keep you going until you make that decision.

Is Lasik Right For Me?

Clear unrestricted vision is a dream for those with long standing visual deficiencies. With lasik eye surgery, that dream is becoming a reality for millions. It's not for everyone. Among factors to consider are age, career, activities, cost, risks and other health issues.

Consider Sandy. In reviewing all the options, she chose lasik. Although she's young, she's beyond the lower age limit of 21. She's not into contact sports, so those risks are negligible.

Sandy's insurance would not cover lasik procedures, but she lives frugally and had saved the money for it. She estimated that the costs of lasik surgery would be cheaper than other solutions when considered over a ten-year period.

Her vision had stayed at the same prescription for over a year, so her visual stability was good. Sandy wasn't pregnant and expect to be in the next year, so her hormones should not cause her visual stability to fluctuate. She had no problems with dry eyes, nor did she have any previous incidences of eye disease or injury.

Lasik was perfect for her. Sandy had the procedure on a Thursday and was back at work on Monday. Even better, she was delighted with the results.

Then there's Lynn who's also been thinking about lasik. She's 32, and her insurance covers the procedure. With her perfect medical history, she has the sick time available and should be able to recover at home for a few days before returning to work. And, fortunately, there are no restrictions on lasik corrections in her type of job.

Trouble is, she just found out that she's pregnant. That immediately rules out lasik for her right now, because pregnancy hormones can cause visual instability. Her optometrist recommends she wait at least a year after completing breastfeeding. Since this is her first child, and she wants other children, she'll try for lasik eye surgery again in about five years.

Now, let's talk about Thomas. He's 45 with vision in only one eye. His astigmatism is such that his lasik surgery would be more extensive than usual. Furthermore, his vision has not been stable lately; he's becoming more farsighted. And, the results of the surgery could diminish rapidly over the next few years, because of his increasing farsightedness.

Right away, he determined that lasik is not an option for him. Besides, the risks are just too great if you are already blind in one eye. His optometrist recommends contact lenses and reading glasses for close work.

Finally, there's Mary. She's nearsighted, with no astigmatism. At forty, she's not pregnant, not into contact sports, and has no restrictions on the procedure due to her visual health. So, she's a good candidate for the lasik procedure, but she's concerned with the relative newness of laser eye surgery.

Her insurance will not cover the procedure, and her financial situation won't cover the cost right now. With her stable vision, she's setting aside lasik for now and looking into contact lenses.

Lasik eye surgery is becoming more popular. It isn't for everyone, but many have gone through with the procedure and are happy with the outcome. Others have considered it, rejected it, and in so doing, have discovered new options for their visual health.