Are You Struggling With Vision Issues? Know What Is Better, LASIK Surgery or Lens Implants?

With the growing dependency on a computer screen and increased screen time, it is now common for even infants to get spectacles. Also, with the increasing stress on the eye, it is bound to happen for a lot of people to undergo various surgeries to get rid of the inconvenience. Also, there are various professions, which do not allow the usage of spectacles, which further leads to people taking up surgeries for a healthy vision. One such example was cited by Ophthalmologist Dr Samir Sud who came across a 22YO aspiring air hostess named Sakshi who was rejected at the job interview. Also, what made her more disheartened was that she could not opt for a LASIK due to various conditions. On examining her eyes, it was found that since she had severe myopia, she may not qualify to get LASIK eye surgery. However, she was suggested to choose an alternate procedure for the removal of her glasses.

The main concern arises when there is lack of knowledge in regard to proper measures to be taken before and after a surgery. Hence, to be sure that you are opting for the right surgery, read below to know details about LASIK and eye implants.

How Can One Get Rid Of Glasses?

Who doesn’t want to lead a spectacle-free life? The very thought of waking up in the morning without having to hunt for glasses is so welcoming. While most people are candidates for LASIK, not everyone will qualify outright, as it happened to Sakshi. But don’t get disheartened because even if you learn that you do not qualify for LASIK, there exist various vision correction surgeries like the Intraocular Lenses (IOL) which includes phakic IOLs and clear lens exchange (CLE).

In fact, in some cases, Intraocular Lenses produce better and more predictable outcomes than LASIK. The procedures such as Phakic IOL and CLE have proven track record in terms of both safety and efficacy and are well suited for people those who have high levels of nearsightedness or with those with a thin cornea.

• Phakic IOLs and CLE are clear implantable lenses that enable light to focus properly on the retina for clearer vision without corrective eyewear. Also, the lenses function pretty much like contact lenses when it comes to vision correction. The only difference is that IOLs offer a permanent correction of vision unless the lens is surgically removed.
• While LASIK uses a laser to reshape the cornea, Intraocular Lens procedure, as the name suggests, uses lens implants which are artificial lenses.
• All refractive procedures can achieve a perfect vision. The only thing essential is to understand that one needs to qualify for the respective surgery. In fact, choosing the refractive surgery correctly is the first step in choosing a spectacle-free life. For the same, one needs to be in constant touch with the doctor and follow all guidelines for a faster recovery.

What Is The Procedure and Patient Selection Criteria?

These factors listed below makes one less qualified for a LASIK surgery:

• Extreme farsightedness or nearsightedness
• Unusual cornea shape and size
• Those suffering from dry eye syndrome
• Though Intraocular lenses can correct very high levels of myopia.

Why Is LASIK More Popular?

LASIK is popular as the procedure is less invasive, faster, and both eyes can be operated at the same time. However, LASIK involves permanent ablation and cannot be reversed. Lens implants, on the other hand, are slightly more invasive, leading to longer recovery time.

Phakic IOL is completely reversible, whereas CLE is not, because, during the procedure, the natural lens of the eye is removed. Besides, considering the fact the procedure carries an increased risk of intraocular infection, surgeons usually prefer to operate each eye on separate days. Additionally, lens implants provide protection from ultraviolet radiation which has been linked with the formation of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

What Is The Duration of Procedures?

LASIK treatment takes less than one minute for each eye; the total procedure lasts about 15 minutes per eye, whereas lens implants require about 20-30 minutes per eye. Most importantly, the lens implant surgery for the two eyes is performed about a week apart. However, the time for vision recovery and follow up visit protocols for both group of surgeries is almost the same.

How Expensive Are Vision Treatments?

Lens implants are expensive, in comparison with LASIK. For patients with low to moderate refractive error and no associated eye diseases, LASIK is the surgery of choice. Refractive lens exchange or lens implants are an effective option for people with moderate to severe nearsightedness who fall outside the treatment range of LASIK. When considering implantable lenses — or any refractive surgery — be sure to discuss all the benefits and risks with your eye surgeon.

With inputs from Dr Samir Sud, Ophthalmologist Sharp Sight Eye Hospital