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 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.
Unfortunately, eyeglasses can 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, while soft contact lenses were first marketed in 1971. Since then, soft contact lenses have been improved to offer colored versions, bifocals, monovision, daily disposables, and silicone hydrogel contact lenses that can be worn for up to 30 consecutive days and nights.
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 also LASIK variations such as epi-LASIK and custom wavefront LASIK, and LASIK alternatives such as PRK and LASEK. More than a million such procedures are estimated to have been performed in 2005, and there are numerous websites offering LASIK eye surgery 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 Akron, Birmingham, Canton, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Des Moines, Hawaii, Long Island, Louisville, Minneapolis, New Hampshire, Omaha, Orlando, Pasadena, Portsmouth, 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.