Alternatives to LASIK: What if I Don’t Qualify?

Many people long to spend less time thinking about their glasses or contact lenses and look for ways to correct their vision. While LASIK is the most familiar name in laser eye surgery, not everyone qualifies for this procedure. At Heart of Texas Eye Care, we offer LASIK alternatives to help almost anyone benefit from vision correction. 

What is LASIK Laser Eye Surgery?

LASIK is one of several procedures known as laser eye surgery. It uses a laser to create a flap in the surface of your eye, a clear structure called the cornea. This flap lets your eye surgeon use another laser to precisely reshape your cornea to correct refractive errors (astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness). This process is safe and works well for many people, but you should know about your other options. 

Alternatives to LASIK: What if I Don’t Qualify?

Because LASIK creates an incision in the surface of the cornea, it may not be ideal for some people. It may also not offer the best solution for your needs. 

Who Doesn’t Qualify for LASIK?

There are several primary reasons that you might not qualify for LASIK. 

• You have thin, misshapen, or unhealthy corneas
• You play contact sports or other activities that could dislodge the flap
• You have problems with dry eye that could worsen after LASIK
• Your age means you will not enjoy the maximum benefits
• Your eyes are not healthy enough for eye surgery

SMILE (LALEX) and PRK

These forms of laser eye surgery also reshape the cornea with a laser, but they leave the surface more stable than LASIK. The SMILE procedure uses a much smaller incision, and PRK removes the corneal surface so it grows back with no weak area. 

As a result, people who cannot have LASIK because of dry eye, corneal health issues, or other factors may be able to benefit from these procedures. PRK has a longer recovery time than other types of vision correction, but the best option for some people. 

ICL (IntraCameral Lens)

This option leaves the corneal surface intact and has minimal recovery time. An IntraCameral Lens (ICL) is placed behind your iris and over your natural lens, where it corrects the angle of light as it passes through. These lenses are an option for almost anyone. 

RLE (Refractive Lens Exchange)

If you are over the age of 40, your eyes have usually started to undergo age-related changes. Presbyopia occurs when your lenses stiffen over time, making it harder to read and do other up-close tasks. Because LASIK does not correct the lens, it will not help people over 40 compensate for these ongoing changes. 

As a result, refractive lens exchange (RLE) may be the best option for these individuals. It replaces the aging natural lenses with artificial ones that never age, never develop cataracts, and can correct problems like astigmatism. 

Take the Next Step

If you’d like to learn more about alternatives to LASIK, schedule a consultation with our Heart of Texas Eye Care team, serving Dripping Springs, Austin, Kyle, Bee Cave, Marble Falls, and other surrounding areas. Contact us at (512) 213-2220 today!

*Individual results may vary