Can I Still Correct My Vision if I Can’t Get LASIK?

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Posted by: Missouri Eye Institute in Blog on December 2, 2022

Millions of people have turned to LASIK to change their vision and their life. It is a very effective surgery, but not everyone will be a good candidate for the procedure.

Before you get LASIK, you have to go through a series of different tests and examinations. These are essential to make sure that LASIK will work for you.

So what happens if you are not a good candidate for LASIK? The good news is that you don’t have to give up the dream of visual freedom.

There are several procedures available that can produce results just as good as LASIK. Here are some great options available at Missouri Eye Institute in Springfield, Missouri!

How Is PRK Different From LASIK?

LASIK has changed significantly over the few decades since it’s been around. Not only did lasers change the way surgeries could be performed, but the technique also changed.

Photorefractive keratectomy, or PRK, was the original method for vision correction. PRK and LASIK are very similar to each other.

Both procedures use lasers to maximize precision. Both procedures correct vision by changing the shape of the cornea, and both procedures have fantastic rates of success.

However, there is one key difference between the two procedures. In order to correct your refractive error, the PRK and LASIK procedures reshape the corneal tissue below the cornea’s first layer.

The top corneal layer is left attached as a flap during LASIK. Alternatively, during PRK, the top layer of the cornea is actually completely removed.

The advantage of a flap during LASIK is that it can be repositioned after the procedure. The tissue reconnects very quickly, which makes recovery time faster.

The problem is that this flap of tissue is at risk of becoming disloged, especially during the beginning of recovery. Due to the necessary flap, those with thin corneas will not be good candidates for LASIK.

However, since PRK patients don’t need to worry about flap complications, it is available to a wider range of people.

What is RLE?

RLE, or refractive lens exchange, is another type of refractive procedure that can provide visual freedom and reduced dependency on visual aids. In addition, the RLE procedure eliminates the possibility of you ever developing cataracts later in life.

During RLE, your eye surgeon will remove your natural lens and replace it with an artificial lens called an IOL. There are many different kinds of IOLs, each with their own benefits.

You and your eye surgeon can discuss which IOL options are best for you during your screening. Compared to LASIK and PRK, during RLE, there is no altering of corneal tissue.

Could An ICL Procedure Be Better Than LASIK?

For some people, the answer for visual freedom could be implantable collamer lenses or ICLs. An ICL is essentially a permanent contact lens that is secured inside the eye.

This lens is placed in front of your natural lens, just behind your iris. The ICL procedure is often less invasive than LASIK, which makes recovery even faster.

However, the ICL procedure is not suitable for everyone. Before you can schedule any type of refractive procedure, you must first visit your eye doctor at Missouri Eye Institute for a consultation to determine which option may be best for you.

Are you interested in learning more about alternatives to LASIK? Schedule an appointment at Missouri Eye Institute in Branson, MO, to find out which procedure will work best for you!