Both laser eye surgery and refractive lens exchange are used to correct vision so people can reduce or eliminate the dependence on eyeglasses or contact lenses.
The most common method of laser eye surgery is LASIK or laser assisted in situ keratomileusis.
LASIK is a type of refractive surgery that is used to correct short sightedness or myopia, long sightedness or hyperopia, and astigmatism.
Laser correction surgery works by reshaping the cornea or the transparent front part of the eye.
All of these refractive errors are caused by an irregularly shaped cornea, a problem in the eye lens, or anatomic variations in the eye.
In short sightedness, the cornea has too much curvature.
In effect, the light that enters the eye is not properly focused and the distant objects look blurry.
On the other hand, long sighted people can see distant objects clearly but close one do not appear to be focused properly.
Long sightedness occurs if the cornea has too little curvature and light that enters is likewise improperly focused.
Astigmatism is a refractive error wherein the cornea is abnormally curved, making it hard to see fine details whether up close or from a distance.
Laser surgery aims to modify the shape of the cornea to correct myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.
Patients must be over 18 years old to qualify for this operation.
Laser correction may be done on people who cannot tolerate or who would choose not to wear prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses.
There are many advantages to laser eye surgery.
The procedure effectively corrects vision problems and after having surgery, most patients no longer need to wear corrective lenses.
Laser surgery is non-invasive and after surgery no stitches or bandages are required.
There is also very little or no pain associated with laser vision correction.
Patients can enjoy improvement in vision immediately or the next day after the surgery.
If necessary, enhancements or adjustments can be made even years after LASIK surgery to further correct vision.
On the other hand, refractive lens exchange is essentially a cataract surgery but used mainly for refractive purposes.
This is sometimes called clear lens exchange or CLE and is a suitable choice over laser eye surgery for people who have extreme errors in refraction or those who are presbyopic.
Presbyopia is a vision condition wherein the crystalline lens of the eye loses its ability to focus, making it difficult to see object that are up close.
It may seem to occur suddenly but it actually occurs over a number of years.
With age, the lens of the eye gradually loses its flexibility, making it harder to focus on close objects.
Refractive lens exchange or RLE can be an alternative to laser eye surgery.
In RLE, the natural lens of the eye is removed and replaced with an artificial lens usually made of plastic or silicone.
Instead of altering the shape of the cornea as seen in laser surgery, the process of refractive lens exchange is based on permanently putting in a replacement lens to correct short sightedness or long sightedness.
The advantage of RLE is that the cornea remains untouched.
This is suitable for people who cannot go through laser treatment because of very thin corneas or dry eye conditions.
Also, people with very high refractive errors like extreme short sightedness or long sightedness are not ideal candidates for laser vision correction so RLE may be the fitting choice.
Older adults with refractive errors and those who have the early signs of cataract formation are also good candidates for refractive lens exchange.
Since RLE involves removing the natural lens, the risk of developing cataracts in the ageing eye can be eliminated.
Unlike the natural crystalline lens of the eye, the artificial lens will not develop cloudiness or cataracts in the future.
This makes refractive lens exchange a viable alternative for the older age group.
The intraocular lens implant cost may be a consideration on whether or not to have eye lens surgery.
Prices are determined by various factors like the type of lens, area and the eye surgeon.
A visit to the eye doctor can help the patient weigh options on whether to have laser eye surgery or refractive lens exchange.
The most common method of laser eye surgery is LASIK or laser assisted in situ keratomileusis.
LASIK is a type of refractive surgery that is used to correct short sightedness or myopia, long sightedness or hyperopia, and astigmatism.
Laser correction surgery works by reshaping the cornea or the transparent front part of the eye.
All of these refractive errors are caused by an irregularly shaped cornea, a problem in the eye lens, or anatomic variations in the eye.
In short sightedness, the cornea has too much curvature.
In effect, the light that enters the eye is not properly focused and the distant objects look blurry.
On the other hand, long sighted people can see distant objects clearly but close one do not appear to be focused properly.
Long sightedness occurs if the cornea has too little curvature and light that enters is likewise improperly focused.
Astigmatism is a refractive error wherein the cornea is abnormally curved, making it hard to see fine details whether up close or from a distance.
Laser surgery aims to modify the shape of the cornea to correct myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.
Patients must be over 18 years old to qualify for this operation.
Laser correction may be done on people who cannot tolerate or who would choose not to wear prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses.
There are many advantages to laser eye surgery.
The procedure effectively corrects vision problems and after having surgery, most patients no longer need to wear corrective lenses.
Laser surgery is non-invasive and after surgery no stitches or bandages are required.
There is also very little or no pain associated with laser vision correction.
Patients can enjoy improvement in vision immediately or the next day after the surgery.
If necessary, enhancements or adjustments can be made even years after LASIK surgery to further correct vision.
On the other hand, refractive lens exchange is essentially a cataract surgery but used mainly for refractive purposes.
This is sometimes called clear lens exchange or CLE and is a suitable choice over laser eye surgery for people who have extreme errors in refraction or those who are presbyopic.
Presbyopia is a vision condition wherein the crystalline lens of the eye loses its ability to focus, making it difficult to see object that are up close.
It may seem to occur suddenly but it actually occurs over a number of years.
With age, the lens of the eye gradually loses its flexibility, making it harder to focus on close objects.
Refractive lens exchange or RLE can be an alternative to laser eye surgery.
In RLE, the natural lens of the eye is removed and replaced with an artificial lens usually made of plastic or silicone.
Instead of altering the shape of the cornea as seen in laser surgery, the process of refractive lens exchange is based on permanently putting in a replacement lens to correct short sightedness or long sightedness.
The advantage of RLE is that the cornea remains untouched.
This is suitable for people who cannot go through laser treatment because of very thin corneas or dry eye conditions.
Also, people with very high refractive errors like extreme short sightedness or long sightedness are not ideal candidates for laser vision correction so RLE may be the fitting choice.
Older adults with refractive errors and those who have the early signs of cataract formation are also good candidates for refractive lens exchange.
Since RLE involves removing the natural lens, the risk of developing cataracts in the ageing eye can be eliminated.
Unlike the natural crystalline lens of the eye, the artificial lens will not develop cloudiness or cataracts in the future.
This makes refractive lens exchange a viable alternative for the older age group.
The intraocular lens implant cost may be a consideration on whether or not to have eye lens surgery.
Prices are determined by various factors like the type of lens, area and the eye surgeon.
A visit to the eye doctor can help the patient weigh options on whether to have laser eye surgery or refractive lens exchange.
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