Options available for eye patients besides Lasik

In a recent article for the New York Times, Abby Ellin described her disappointing experience with Lasik surgery. Post-surgery she reported seeing halos, experiencing blurriness and having sore, dry eyes that felt like they had been "coated in Vaseline." Though she hated wearing glasses, she said, "I walk by eyeglass shops and wish I needed to go inside."

The FDA, in response to numerous patient complaints, convened a panel recently in which unhappy Lasik patients shared experiences of severe and unremitting eye pain, blurred vision and depression following the procedure. The patients urged the FDA to take action and offer clearer warnings.

Network news reports brought the possibility of unsuccessful surgical outcomes to the attention of millions of viewers, making some potential patients fearful and hesitant to consider surgery.

"Vision correction surgery can be a great option for many patients, and millions of people are satisfied with the results," said Craig Hoeft, OD, of the California Optometric Association. "But for those who are concerned and want to wait until the FDA has more findings about Lasik and Vision ICL, a newer surgical option, there are several nonsurgical options that provide significant results and are easy, comfortable and safe for many, many patients."

For patients seeking relief from older types of contact lenses and glasses, optometrists recommend several nonsurgical alternatives. Silicone hydrogel soft contact lenses are superpermeable lenses that can be worn for up to 30 consecutive days without removal.

Corneal reshaping technology is a nonsurgical process that temporarily reshapes the cornea overnight with specially designed oxygen permeable therapeutic contact lenses that are inserted before going to bed and removed in the morning.

Rigid gas permeable lenses are rigid lenses made of firm, durable plastic that transmits oxygen to the eye.

"There are over 30 million people in America who wear contact lenses and more than 80 percent that go to optometrists for their eye care," said Hoeft. "Optometrists are explaining options to many patients who are hesitant about surgery as well as helping those who want surgery to understand whether or not they are good candidates, since some eye conditions preclude a positive result or carry a higher risk of complications."

This article provided by the California Optometric Association.