With improvements in technology both in surgical techniques and Intraocular Lenses, refractive lens procedures have become more commonly performed not just purely to treat Cataract, but also to reduce dependence and often remove the need for visual hardware. In fact more candidates who do not have cataracts and not suitable for Laser Vision Treatment, are choosing to have clear refractive lens exchange in order to reduce or remove the need for glasses or contact lenses.
LASIK has been around nearly 30 years and is still the preferred treatment type when it comes to laser vision correction – even with the newcomer SMILE and the old but reliable PRK and everything else in between like Epilasik and Lasek.
Surgeons and patients still prefer iLASIK for its accuracy, reliability, predictability and stability of results.
Presbyopia is the gradual loss of the ability to focus for near tasks starting for most from the age of 40 and resulting in the need to rely on reading glasses. Near tasks such as reading, knitting, sewing, using the computer, mobile phone, shopping and even reading a menu becomes difficult without spectacles.
For those who find reading glasses onerous, removing the need for reading glasses via Laser Vision Correction or Clear lens extraction is a definite possibility.
With an increasing ageing population, more active lifestyle and increased longevity more and more people are opting have treatment sooner rather than later, to improve quality of life through better vision.
Patients now more than ever have more options at their disposal and Surgeons better equipped at delivering better refractive outcomes through different types of Intraocular Lens Implants (IOL’s), laser cataract, small and micro-incisional surgical techniques.
Femtosecond laser is now also used to perform some cataract procedures, however, data shows the results are no better with Laser Cataract Surgery as compared to non Laser Cataract Surgery if performed by an experienced Surgeon. Laser cataract is performed similar to small or micro-incision cataract surgery, the only difference is that a laser is used to make the incisions – the remainder of the procedure is the same
A cataract is a clouding of the crystalline lens that causes gradual loss of vision and cause additional symptoms such as colours appearing “washed out”, glare and halos, poor night vision and at times double vision.
Left untreated, a cataract can eventually worsen at a pace that is different from person to person, eventually causing blindness. On the upside this type of blindness is temporary and once Cataract surgery is performed if the eye is otherwise healthy, full visual recovery is achievable.
“It’s too expensive” is a common misnomer when it comes to laser vision correction
The one off upfront costs of Laser eye surgery is far less than the incremental lifetime cost of paying for vision correcting hardware
Since the dawn of LASIK particularly iLasik there has not yet been another corneal refractive corrective procedure that has been able to surpass it – reliable, predictable results, quick recovery and reduced risks has made LASIK the go to procedure for those suitable.
Modifying the corneal shape to correct refractive errors customised iLASIK with femtosecond laser is the gold standard.
The old adage “wait for the cataract to ripen” is now becoming more and more irrelevant – with increased longevity and more people staying active longer, most choose to have cataract treatment sooner, before it impacts quality of vision and life.
With improved safety, accuracy, better results and a myriad of Intraocular lens implant correcting for ocular aberrations, correct for distance, near or both and even Intraocular lens implants that can correct for astigmatism, no longer do we need to wait until a cataract is “ripe for the picking” – Improving the quality of life through better vision sooner is now a possibility.
Modern technology, new surgical techniques and complete eye health assessment has made vision correction a safe option for those who want to remove the need for visual hardware.
Increasing safety, success and reducing risk is always at the top of the list…
LASIK for those who are suitable, is still the preferred and most reliable form of corneal refractive treatment and together with femtosecond laser it is still the treatment of choice.