Posted by: Focal Point Vision in Blog
If you have been told that you are not a good candidate for LASIK, you may have thought that was the end of your vision correction journey. However, there are a variety of vision correction procedures beyond just LASIK.
Alternative procedures like the EVO ICL and refractive lens exchange (RLE) mean clear, sharp vision without glasses or contacts could still be within reach. Keep reading to learn more about how to choose between the EVO ICL and refractive lens exchange.
How to Choose the Right Vision Correction Procedure
The most popular vision correction procedure is LASIK, which involves creating a flap in the cornea and reshaping the tissue underneath to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. However, not everyone is a good candidate for the procedure.
If you have thin corneas, severe dry eye, play contact sports, or have a high prescription outside the parameters of what LASIK can correct, your eye doctor may recommend other vision correction procedures like EVO ICL or refractive lens exchange. Choosing the vision correction procedure for you depends on a variety of factors, including your eye health, medical history, prescription, and vision goals.
You’ll need to attend a consultation with your eye doctor at Focal Point Vision, who will consider these factors and perform a comprehensive eye exam to assess your candidacy for different procedures. They can also answer any questions you have about candidacy, how the procedures work, and what to expect during recovery.
What is Refractive Lens Exchange?
Refractive lens exchange (RLE) is a procedure that corrects vision by replacing the natural lens of the eye with an intraocular lens (IOL), reducing or eliminating the need for glasses or contacts. Focal Point Vision offers different premium IOLs to choose from, including:
Lifestyle Vision
The Lifestyle Vision package features the Johnson & Johnson Symfony IOL, an extended depth of focus (EDOF) lens that offers patients a wider range of vision across multiple distances. It’s especially great for patients who spend a lot of time doing activities at intermediate distances, like working on the computer.
Light Adjustable Lens
The Light Adjustable Lens is a revolutionary IOL that allows for customization after your refractive lens exchange procedure. Through a series of non-invasive UV-light adjustment sessions, your eye doctor can personalize your lens to reach your desired visual goals.
While refractive lens exchange can correct common refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, many patients also choose the procedure to treat presbyopia. Presbyopia is a condition that occurs when the natural lens of the eye becomes less flexible as part of the natural aging process.
This can cause blurry vision and require patients to wear reading glasses to see things up close. Cataracts are another common age-related condition that affects the natural lens and impairs your vision.
By replacing the natural lens of your eye with an IOL during refractive lens exchange, your eye doctor can correct presbyopia and prevent cataracts from forming in the future. Depending on the IOL you choose, you could also enjoy complete visual freedom from glasses and contacts and experience crisper, clearer vision than ever before.
Who is a Good Candidate for Refractive Lens Exchange?
If you want to experience clearer vision without the need for glasses and contacts, you may be a good candidate for refractive lens exchange. Patients between the ages of 40 and 60 are often considered the best candidates for the procedure, as refractive lens exchange can prevent the formation of cataracts as you age.
You might also be a good candidate for refractive lens exchange if you:
- Have early cataracts
- Have presbyopia, nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism
- Have a severe refractive error beyond what LASIK can correct
- Do not have eye conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, uveitis, age-related macular degeneration, or a corneal condition
- Are not pregnant or nursing
- Are not at risk for retinal detachment
- Have been told you’re not suited for LASIK due to thin corneas
What is the EVO ICL?
The EVO ICL is a vision correction procedure involving your eye doctor placing an implantable collamer lens between your eye’s iris and natural lens to correct nearsightedness and astigmatism. This lens is thin, pliable, and biocompatible, meaning it integrates seamlessly with your eye to provide clear, natural-feeling vision.
Because the EVO ICL is an additive lens, the procedure doesn’t require the removal of the natural lens, such as with refractive lens exchange, or reshaping the cornea, such as with LASIK. Instead, a small incision is made in the eye, and the EVO ICL is placed in front of the natural lens.
This means the procedure is completely reversible, minimally invasive, and has a quick recovery time. If you need future procedures like cataract surgery, your eye doctor can remove the EVO ICL, and your vision will be the same as before.
Who is a Good Candidate for the EVO ICL?
If you want to enjoy a vision correction procedure with the added peace of mind that it can be reversed at any time, the EVO ICL could be the right choice for you. It’s ideal for patients between the ages of 21 and 45, but it is important to note that, unlike refractive lens exchange, it cannot treat presbyopia or farsightedness.
Other signs you may be a good candidate for the EVO ICL include:
- You are nearsighted with or without astigmatism
- You have been told you are not a good candidate for LASIK due to thin corneas or severe dry eye
- You have severe nearsightedness with a prescription that LASIK cannot correct
- You do not have eye conditions like glaucoma, iritis, or diabetic retinopathy
- You are not pregnant or nursing
- You want to experience clear vision without glasses or contacts
Ultimately, you will need to attend a consultation with your eye doctor at Focal Point Vision to determine whether you are a good candidate for refractive lens exchange or the EVO ICL and which procedure best suits your lifestyle and vision.
Are you ready to find out whether you are a candidate for refractive lens exchange or the EVO ICL? Schedule an appointment at Focal Point Vision in San Antonio, TX, today!
