A Glimpse into Your Vision Correction Options
Close your eyes and imagine this. It's the first day of summer. The birds are chirping and you're just waking up. You have a busy day planned. Maybe you're hitting the golf course for a full day of golfing, or maybe you're volunteering at a 5K, or maybe you're going to the pool. Either way, one thing is for sure, it's going to be hot.
If you have experienced the frustration of dealing with glasses or contacts during the hot summer months (your glasses sweating off your face or your contacts burning your eyes as you're trying to enjoy the pool or lake), one thing is for sure, summer would be so much easier if you could just hop out of bed in the morning and see.
Is There an Alternative to Glasses or Contacts?
Fortunately, with the latest advancements in technology, there are several options for patients who wish to maximize the clarity of their vision while minimizing their dependence on corrective lenses. At ART Vision, Dr. Tendler specializes in cataract and vision correction procedures that can help you achieve independence from your glasses or contact lenses. Each person is unique, and after a thorough workup, Dr. Tendler and her staff discuss the best options for your individual needs. Keeping in mind the health of your eyes and your specific goals and concerns, Dr. Tendler and her staff work together with patients to determine the safest and most effective options to achieve visual freedom.
Dr. Tendler offers several options to help patients live freely from their glasses or contact lenses. While many people who hear “vision correction” or “refractive surgery” think only of LASIK or PRK, there are other options. Below we discuss a few Lens Based Refractive Surgery (or LBRS) methods, some which you may not have heard of before.
What is a Refractive Lens Exchange?
A refractive lens exchange (RLE) involves the removal of the eye’s natural lens and replacement with an intraocular lens (IOL) implant. This vision correction method is good for patients with nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, or presbyopia (difficulty with reading or near vision). This provides a long-term vision correction option. The process of an RLE is very similar to the removal of a cataract, but is done for vision correction. However, because the eye’s natural lens is removed, it is also impossible to develop a cataract after this surgery! This is best for patients who are over the age of 50, have not developed a cataract or have minimal cataract development, desire clearer vision, and are seeking to gain independence from glasses or contacts at multiple distances.
What is Refractive Cataract Surgery?
A similar option exists for patients who have already begun to develop a cataract, but would still like to minimize dependence on their glasses. This is known as refractive cataract surgery. Similar to an RLE, the clouded lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens that is specified to your individual prescription needs to give you the clearest possible vision.
Both of these procedures are brief, safe, effective procedures that are performed from the comfort of the in-office surgical suites at ART Vision. If you have ever wondered if there is an option to help you live freely from your glasses or contact lenses, contact ART Vision today at 605-306-2020 to schedule your consultation appointment.