What If LASIK Is Not Right For You?
LASIK is a medical procedure that requires specific physical and medical conditions to be met before it can be considered ‘right’ for any patient. Age, general health, eye health and thickness of cornea all play a part in ensuring a LASIK applicant is a good candidate.
At Bellevue LASIK & Cornea, we have to reject 10% of applicants for LASIK because of physical or medical factors. However, if it is determined that LASIK is not right for your eyes we also are highly skilled in providing the following alternative vision correction options:
PRK/ASA
People whose corneas are too thin for LASIK can receive PRK or ASA (Advanced Surface Ablation). During PRK/ASA no flap is created. Instead, a small area on the corneal/epithelium (surface cells) is gently polished away to give access to the layer below, where the reshaping is done. The laser then reshapes the cornea in exactly the same way as for LASIK surgery.
Although the visual outcomes of PRK are comparable to LASIK, the recovery times are usually a little longer and some patients experience slightly more discomfort during the healing process. Dr. Leavitt will tell you if ASA/PRK is the best procedure for your eyes and, if so, you can still look forward to as good an outcome as with LASIK.
Refractive Lens Exchange (IOLs)
Refractive Lens Exchange is a non-laser corrective procedure in which the natural lens of the eye is replaced with an artificial lens, called an intraocular lens (IOL). Refractive Lens Exchange is a permanent and maintenance-free vision correction option with a quick visual recovery time. If you are over 50 this may well be your best option for correcting near and far vision, and Laser Vision Correction can even be used to “fine tune” this treatment for superb results. IOL surgeries take 10 to 15 minutes per eye and can solve the continuing decline in vision after age 50 that eventually leads to cataracts.
Phakic Intraocular Lens (ICL)
A phakic intraocular lens is like a permanent internal contact lens and this procedure can be used to treat a wide range of nearsightedness and reading vision issues. The procedure involves implanting a phakic intraocular lens (IOL) in front of the eye’s natural lens, leaving the eye’s lens in place. This technique is for people with very strong prescriptions or thin corneas.
Following your free LASIK Consultation, we will advise you frankly if LASIK is the best solution for your vision, or if another technology is more suitable.
