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I Was Told I’m Not a LASIK Surgery Candidate
Have you recently been turned down for LASIK eye surgery? That’s tough news to hear if you want to become less reliant on glasses or contact lenses. However, there are alternatives to LASIK that might provide a safer, more customized option for you. Although LASIK has become a household name when it comes to correcting refractive vision errors, our eye care specialists in Mesa and Chandler offer several alternative procedures that could work for you.
LASIK Alternatives
At Swagel Wootton Eye Institute in Arizona, we offer a range of refractive options for vision correction. Depending on your individual needs and goals, one of these vision correction procedures could work well for you:
1. Visian ICL™
Visian ICL is an Implantable Collamer® Lens that offers many benefits for patients who cannot have LASIK due to severe myopia (nearsightedness), thin corneas or dry eyes. Visian ICL does not cause Dry Eye Syndrome, which can be a concern with LASIK. Visian ICL also offers UV protection and has a high patient satisfaction rate.
A Visian ICL is implanted behind the iris, in front of your eye’s natural lens, and takes 20–30-minutes to install. You can expect quick vision improvement with minimal recovery time, and you won’t see or feel it once it is inserted. Unlike LASIK, which permanently changes the shape of the cornea, Visian ICL is an additive technology that can be removed, if needed. Ideal candidates for Visian 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. Visian ICL can also treat astigmatism (1.0D and 4.0D).
2. PRK
Photo-Refractive Keratectomy (PRK) is a laser vision correction surgery that removes an outer layer of the eye’s surface to avoid an incision in the cornea. A laser is then used to remove part of the cornea to correct refractive errors. Visual improvement and recovery time takes a little longer than LASIK or Visian ICL lens implantation. However, the procedure may be the best option for certain candidates.
PRK sometimes works for clients who can’t have LASIK due to thin corneas. However, it only corrects nearsightedness up to -12 D. Ideal candidates for PRK are over 18 and have had a stable prescription for at least one year.
3. CLE
Clear Lens Exchange (CLE) 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 lens chosen. This procedure is identical to cataract surgery and is typically performed on one eye at a time.
Learn more about Clear Lens Exchange.
Choosing the Right Vision Correction Surgery
These options can seem confusing, making it hard to choose the right option for you. Fortunately, the eye doctors at Swagel Wootton Eye Institute have many years of experience in all these procedures. When you schedule a consultation, we will walk through all the options that would work for you.
We specialize in cataract and LASIK eye surgery in greater Phoenix. So, we can also offer a second opinion on your eligibility for LASIK. Taking your lifestyle and prescription into account, our client-focused team of eye doctors will recommend a tailored treatment plan. Contact us with any questions you have about our services or to make an appointment today.
