7 Vision-Enhancing Technologies You Should Know About

Vision-enhancing technology isn’t only for individuals facing disease, eye conditions, or other eye performance difficulties. Today, safe options for vision-enhancing technology mean safe, effective vision improvements without compromising overall health. Consider the following areas for even more information on some of the best that deserve your attention.

1. LASIK

LASIK laser eye surgery can help treat nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. By reshaping a client’s cornea and altering the way that the eye processes light, LASIK offers improved visual focus.

Individuals who qualify for this surgery are generally at least 18 years of age and experience moderate vision difficulties. First developed decades ago to correct a corneal accident, LASIK surgery today offers a permanent solution to correct eye performance problems. The best LASIK doctors adopt minimally invasive procedures, offering state-of-the-art vision correction that lasts a lifetime.

2. Contoura Topography WaveFront Guided

The WaveScan WaveFront system provides surgeons with a 3-dimensional map of the human eye. This system takes a look at the entire eye, from tear-film to the retina. Ophthalmologists will use WaveFront Guided to get a more accurate diagnosis — allowing them to give the patient the best treatment possible.

Contoura Topography is another diagnostic tool that is used by ophthalmologists. However, rather than examining the entire eye, Contoura Topography identifies abnormalities in the curvature of the cornea, rather than the entire eye.

Both of these tools are used to create a fully custom LASIK experience that provides patients with a quicker recovery. Both of which are also proven safe, effective, and are minimally invasive.

3. Intraocular Lenses (IOLs)

Individuals who need corrective eye surgery but can’t have LASIK may want to consider intraocular lenses (IOLs). IOLs replace the eye’s natural lens and are intended for patients aged 45 and older. The surgery begins with the removal of the cataract, which is then replaced with an intraocular lens. This lens can reduce or eliminate the need for any corrective eyewear following the surgery.

Patients who desire LASIK-like results — addressing nearsightedness or farsightedness, presbyopia, and astigmatism — without wanting to get LASIK may consider an advanced IOL alternative such as a light-adjustable lens. This unique treatment option uses UV light to adjust the lens. Be sure to consult with a trusted ophthalmologist to get a better understanding of which type of IOL surgery is right for you.

4. Implantable Contact Lenses

Sometimes, improving eyesight means deploying vision-enhancing technology that offers a more permanent solution to eye correction.
Implantable contact lenses are made possible through Visian ICL, a procedure that can help improve vision quality in patients not qualified for LASIK.

Unlike LASIK, which uses lasers to alter the shape of a patient’s cornea, ICL is a laser-free process that involves only a small incision in the eye, followed by the placement of the microthin, Collamer lens in front of a patient’s natural lens. Unlike regular contact lenses, the ICL procedure is not felt or seen once implanted.

After the Visian ICLs are implanted in a patient’s eyes, individuals can often return to work as soon as 48 hours after mild irritation subsides. The ICL process can help treat nearsightedness and astigmatism for people who do not qualify for LASIK due to thin corneas, dry eyes or a people with high levels of myopia. Another added benefit of the ICL is that it’s removable if needed. This procedure is most commonly appropriate for patients aged 21-45.

5. Corneal Cross-Linking

Corneal cross-linking, also referred to as corneal collagen cross-linking, or CXL, is a treatment option for individuals with keratoconus — a medical condition that causes the cornea to be thin and weak. This minimally invasive treatment uses a combination of vitamin B2 drops and UV light to help strengthen the collagen fibers in the cornea. Patients will receive numbing eye drops to prepare for surgery unless they specifically ask to be sedated.

Individuals who get corneal cross-linking can expect blurred vision for about five days post-operation. Discomfort is common despite it being a painless procedure. Be sure to discuss with your eye surgeon plans to help manage any discomfort shall it arise.

6. Femtosecond Laser

Another laser type useful for ophthalmologists, femtosecond lasers have been widely used since 2001, first in offering LASIK procedures. Today, femtosecond lasers are useful in helping doctors address the damaging effects of cataracts on short and long-term vision. The clouding of natural eye lenses, cataracts commonly affect individuals over 50 in tandem with the aging process.

When custom laser cataract surgery can help patients improve vision, femtosecond lasers offer a safe, effective method to create necessary cuts unique to each patient. The same laser is also popularly used to help patients treat astigmatism, through limbal-relaxing incisions.

Often used in tandem with Optiwave Refractive Analysis — a vision-enhancing technology that offers real-time updates on a patient’s eyes during surgery — femtosecond lasers are seen as an advanced, necessary technology if patients request the optimal cataract treatment available.

7. Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery

Glaucoma is a common, vision-threatening condition that causes damage to the optic nerve due to abnormal eye pressure within the eye. Although glaucoma can’t be cured, it can be managed to preserve vision. Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) is just one treatment option for individuals with glaucoma, and may help reduce pressure within the eye, and reduce the need for traditional medications.

There are several types of minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries including:

• Allergan XEN;
• Glaukos iStent inject (the world’s smallest eye surgery device);
• Sight Sciences OMNI 720.

With each type of MIGS there comes five common characteristics:

• High safety profile;
• Minimal disruption of normal anatomy;
• “Ab interno” approach;
• Efficacy;
• Ease of use for the patients and physicians.

No matter the condition, it is important to discuss your best treatment plan and options with your ophthalmologist.