Beyond LASIK
Not all patients are ideal candidates for LASIK, and some patients who get LASIK may require additional lenses for reading because of the normal aging process of the eye. Cullom & Farah Eye & Laser Center offers services beyond LASIK that help each and every patient to achieve his or her best possible vision.
MonoVision
Following LASIK most patients don’t need glasses for their daily activities. However, patients who are over the age of 40 may still need to wear reading glasses because of the normal aging process of the eye. MonoVision LASIK is an alternative to glasses for people with presbyopia.
With MonoVision, one eye is corrected for distance and one for near. Typically the eye that is corrected for distance is the dominant eye. With this procedure, when you look in the distance, your distance eye is at work. When you are reading, the eye corrected for near is working.
Many patients enjoy this option because it can eliminate the need for reading glasses or bifocals. However, a very small percentage of patients do not adjust well to MonoVision. To determine if MonoVision is a good option for you, your surgeon and our staff will perform a free trial with contacts or glasses.
PRK
PRK (Photo Refractive Keratectomy), also known as Advanced Surface Ablation, was the first procedure performed using the Excimer laser. It corrects vision just like LASIK by reshaping the cornea. However, instead of making a protective flap in the first step, the epithelium, the thin layer of clear protective skin that covers the cornea, is removed. After the laser treatment a protective contact bandage is used while the surface the epithelium grows back over the treated area, usually within three to seven days. Functional vision typically returns within the first week.
With LASIK, patients encounter less discomfort and a faster recovery time. However, PRK may be a better option for patients with larger pupils or thin corneas.
Each patient’s outcome is determined by multiple factors including their past ocular history, their ocular anatomy and current condition of the eyes, and suitability for a particular procedure.
RLE
Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE), also known as Refractive Lensectomy or Clear Lens Exchange, uses the same modern cataract removal techniques to remove your natural lens and in its place, implant a clear lifestyle lens in order to reduce the dependence on glasses or contacts. The difference between RLE and cataract surgery is whether or not a cataract is present. A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens. If this lens is still clear, without a cataract, the procedure is used primarily for vision correction purposes and is called Refractive Lens Exchange.
RLE is an ideal choice for those patients who are not candidates for LASIK or wear bifocals or trifocals and do not yet have a developed cataract needing removal. These patients have the goal of reducing or eliminating their need for glasses for most of their daily activities.
Schedule a Consultation
If you’re considering LASIK eye surgery or want to learn more about your options, give us a call to schedule a one-on-one consultation. At Cullom & Farah Eye & Laser Center, you're in good hands.
Take the first step toward better vision today. Request a consultation by calling 757-378-5028.
