Vision Correction
Want to see clearly? You have plenty of options!
Learn about common eye ailments and vision correction treatments for all ages.
If you’re tired of wearing glasses or contacts, but you aren’t sure which vision-correction options are best for you, keep reading.
Age 18-21
Ocular Maturity
Ocular maturity is a stage in your development when your eyesight stabilizes and you no longer experience significant changes in your eyeglasses/contact lens prescription.
Ages 20s – 40s
LASIK
LASIK (Laser-Assisted in situ Keratomileusis) is a vision correction procedure that uses lasers to treat myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. LASIK is accurate and safe, with a short recovery time and minimal discomfort. One laser creates a flap, which is then lifted so another can reshape the cornea.
Pros
Fast procedure time, short recovery time, immediate results
Cons
Permanently removes corneal tissue, may induce dry eye syndrome
Visian ICL
The Visian ICL implants a biocompatible lens behind the iris (the colored part of the eye). This procedure is especially beneficial for people with moderate to severe nearsightedness, astigmatism, and thin corneas.
Pros
Beneficial for people with high prescriptions and/or thin corneas, does not remove corneal tissue, provides UV protection
Cons
Longer procedure length and higher cost when compared to LASIK/PRK
PRK
Like LASIK, PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) uses a laser to correct vision. Instead of creating a flap, the cornea’s epithelial layer is removed with an alcohol-based solution so that the laser can complete the procedure.
Pros
Fast procedure time and no flap that could dislodge
Cons
Permanently removes corneal tissue and longer recovery time when compared LASIK or Visian ICL
Mid to late 40s
Presbyopia
Our eyes change as we age, with our natural lens inside our eyes becoming less flexible and more rigid. This can make seeing close-up objects harder, requiring reading glasses some or all of the time.
Ages 40s – 60s
Blended Vision LASIK
Like modern LASIK, blended vision LASIK uses two steps and two lasers. The main difference is that blended vision LASIK treats one eye for distance and the other for intermediate vision to reduce dependency on reading glasses.
Pros
Fast procedure time, short recovery time, immediate results
Cons
Permanently removes corneal tissue, may induce dry eye syndrome, will not prevent the progression of presbyopia or cataracts
Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)
This procedure is identical to cataract surgery. It removes the natural lens inside the eye and replaces it with an artificial option (IOL). This procedure eliminates the risk for cataracts, and it can significantly reduce the need for reading glasses.
Pros
Won’t require cataract surgery in the future, short recovery time, healthy vision for the rest of your life
Cons
Surgery for each eye performed about one week apart, dependency on reading glasses will vary
60s+
Cataracts
Our eyes age with the rest of us and cataracts are common at this stage of life. This means that our lenses become cloudy, which blocks or diffuses light. It causes blurry or clouded vision that worsens over time. By age 80, more than 50% of US adults either have cataracts or have had surgery to treat them.
Cataract Surgery
In a procedure identical to refractive lens exchange, cataract surgery happens once cataracts have developed in one or both eyes. It is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in the world. Based on lifestyle and budget, many lens options are available.