Permanent Contact Lenses: The Clear Alternative to LASIK

During the early days of corrective eye surgery, doctors were limited to what they could actually correct and many of us were not considered candidates. These days we have numerous options for vision correction: LASIK, PRK, Refractive Lens Exchange, ICL or Implantable Contact Lenses (permanent contact lenses) and Cataract surgery. We can now correct many types of vision problems, including nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism and even presbyopia, another type of farsightedness that increases as we age.

If you’ve been told you’re not a good candidate for LASIK, there’s good news! LaserVue Orlando can help you see clearly with Implantable Contact Lenses, also called permanent contact lenses.

How Age Effects Your Vision and How ICL Surgery Can Help

Many of us have never worn glasses or had vision problems. We then get into our 40’s and learn that we were farsighted all along. Soon we are reaching for reading glasses and eventually we find we need glasses for distance as well. This is because the natural lens in our eye has aged, and no longer has the ability to accommodate and focus. At this point, our options are to wear bifocals or progressive bifocals or monovision contact lenses.

Fortunately, there is a better option! The clear option is permanent contact lenses, or Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE), which is sometimes referred to as Clear Lens Extraction. A patient has numerous lens options: toric lenses to treat astigmatism as well as correct their distance vision or the popular multifocal implants that enable a patient to focus at a distance as well as improve reading vision. A consultation with your surgeon will find the implantable contact lenses that it suitable for your particular lifestyle.

What to Expect From ICL Surgery

ICL surgery is performed exactly like cataract surgery and actually prevents a patient from getting cataracts because the natural lens is removed and replaced with a clear implant. This allows the patient to experience clear vision instead of the progressive cloudiness and decreased vision until a cataract is “ripe” to be removed.

The implantable contact lenses procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and most patients are able to drive the following day and beginning returning to normal activities.

If you are not considered a candidate for LASIK don’t give up hope! With so many options now available for vision correction, including permanent contact lenses, the best way to determine which option is best for YOU is to schedule a free ICL surgery consultation with Dr. Magruder today!