Vision Correction Options
There are several options for correcting refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism and presbyopia.
Eyeglasses are the oldest and most common vision correction option. Since the advent several decades ago of plastic eyeglass lenses and improved methods of eyeglass frame manufacturing, eyeglasses have become a trendy fashion accessory.
In order to protect against eye injury, safety glasses and goggles are available and come in prescription strength, including bifocals and trifocals; check with your eye doctor.
Unfortunately, eyeglasses can be very expensive as a result. However, by checking with your vision insurance plan, you can save money on frames and lenses.
Learn more here:
- Consumer Guide to Eyeglasses
- Vision Council of America
- A Brief History of Eyeglasses
- Find eyeglasses through optometrists, other eye doctors and optical stores near you.
Contact Lenses are a popular alternative to eyeglasses for those who prefer a frame-free appearance. Hard contact lenses have been around for more than 100 years (originally they were scleral lenses), while soft contact lenses were first marketed in 1971.
Since then, soft contact lenses have been improved to offer colored and special effect versions, bifocals, monovision, daily disposables, silicone hydrogel contact lenses that can be worn for up to 30 consecutive days and nights, and other extended wear contact lenses.
Contact lenses are most often fit by an optometrist, but other eye care practitioners occasionally fit them as well. A contact lens prescription is needed from an eye doctor in order to purchase them. Learn more here:
Find contact lens discounts and free contacts for different types of contact lenses on AllAboutVision.com.
LASIK is the best known refractive surgery, but there are alternative refractive surgery options out there. Factors such as corneal conditions (from conditions like an irregularly shaped cornea or scarring from a corneal ulcer), general eye health, vision (prescription) stability, autoimmune diseases and desired end results should be considered before settling on a particular eye surgery procedure.
Refractive procedures are performed either by using a microkeratome blade or femtosecond and excimer lasers. Bladeless methods include:
- PRK, formerly the most common refractive procedure, is recommended for patients who have thin corneas or large pupils.
- LASEK is used for those with corneas that are too thin or steep for a LASIK flap to be created.
- Epi-LASIK is a cross between LASIK and LASEK, and was created to solve some of the potential complications associated with those procedures.
- Custom LASIK is made possible by using wavefront measurements of a patient's eye. These 3-D measurements enable the refractive surgeon to give a very precise corrective procedure.
- Bladeless LASIK uses both a femtosecond laser and an excimer laser. Laser usages vary depending on the branded method being used.
Millions have had such procedures and there are numerous websites offering LASIK information as well as access to LASIK surgeons in the Eastern U.S., LASIK surgeons in the Western U.S. or International LASIK surgeons.
Some of the newer locations to have LASIK are Columbus, Long Island, Louisville, Minneapolis, Omaha, Orlando, Pasadena, Raleigh, San Antonio, St. Louis, and Tampa. Learn more here:
An eye patch is used to correct amblyopia, or lazy eye, which occurs when central vision fails to develop properly, generally only in one eye.
Need More Info?
For in-depth information on vision correction options, visit the Consumer Guide to Eye Care & Vision Correction.