|
LASIK Up-to-date Newsletter
What can be done about extreme near- or farsightedness?
Alternatives to Laser surgery
For patients with severe to extreme visual disorders, such as myopia
(nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness), laser surgery with
PRK/LASIK or LASIK alone, is not the answer.
Experienced and responsible surgeons advise against surgery if myopia
of more than -10 dpt or hyperopia of more than +3 dpt is present, since
the required tissue ablation is generally too large, and may result
in instability of the cornea.
However, these patients have several other alternatives at their disposal.
Lens Implants (ICL, Artisan, Verisyse)
Lens implants are an option for younger patients; their lenses have
not yet lost their elasticity, and therefore still have the capability
to adjust (seeing close objects without glasses). By implanting an artificial
lens in front of their own, the patients are given a chance to correct
or reduce their visual disorder. Despite this, the close adjustment
capability of their natural lens remains.
- More information on lens implants
Bioptics
is a combination of a lens implant that is followed by LASIK to correct
the residual ametropia, e.g. the accompanying astigmatism.
RLE (Refractive lens exchange, old term: clear lens exchange,
CLE)
RLE is reserved for patients who are over 40 years old, and who already
need reading glasses. RLE is also used if age-related cataracts are
present, which eventually could lead to a lens implant. The new artificial
lens will then be calculated in such a way that the existing visual
disorder is equalized.
- More information about RLE
The procedure that would be best suited for you can only be determined
after an extensive preliminary examination.
|