Vision & Eye Care

updated August 7, 2018

Although there are a lucky few that have naturally clear vision well into their forties, the truth is that at some point everyone will experience some type of visual problem that results in blurry or cloudy vision. The most common eye conditions that develop in children, teens, and young adults are nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. By the time people reach their forties, they begin to experience the effects of presbyopia, the condition that produces in blurry near vision in older patients. Finally, patients in their 50s, 60s, and 70s will eventually develop cataracts, which results in a loss of visual acuity and contrast sensitivity in patients.

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Browse DocShop's comprehensive eye care guide to learn more about these and other vision problems, as well as the safe and effective treatment options that are recommended for these disorders.

LASIK

In the past two decades, LASIK has become the most popular refractive surgical procedure used to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Boasting long-term results and a high success rate, millions of patients have chosen to undergo LASIK for their vision correction needs. The procedure involves the creation of a hinged corneal flap; when the flap is opened, an excimer laser is directed at the underlying cornea. The excimer laser reshapes the cornea so light properly reflects of the retina and produces clear vision in those who undergo the LASIK procedure. The flap is then closed and will heal on its own.

LASIK Procedure Stats

• Cost: $1,000 - $2,200 for traditional LASIK; $2,000-$4,000 for custom LASIK
  
• Recovery: One to three days
  
• Visual Results: Within one day
  
• Side Effects: Pain, dry eye, glare, halos, double vision, poor night vision, haze, and sensitivity to light
• Risks: Infection, over/under correction, corneal damage, central islands, epithelial growth, Diffuse Lamellar Keratitis (DLK), regression

PRK

The PRK procedure is similar to LASIK; both procedures treat blurry vision that is caused by nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. PRK is performed on patients that are not suitable candidates for LASIK because their corneas are too thin. The difference between the LASIK and PRK procedure is the way that the inner cornea is exposed. In LASIK, a microkeratome or laser is used to create a corneal flap. In PRK, the epithelium is completely removed; after the laser sculpts the cornea, special contact lenses are placed in the eyes to promote regrowth of the epithelium.

PRK Procedure Stats

• Cost: $1,000 - $2,200 for traditional PRK; $2,000-$4,000 for custom PRK
• Recovery: One to three weeks
• Visual Results: Six to eight weeks
• Side Effects: Pain, dry eye, glare, halos, double vision, poor night vision, haze, and sensitivity to light
• Risks: Infection, over/under correction, corneal damage, central islands, epithelial growth, Diffuse Lamellar Keratitis (DLK), regression

Implantable Contact Lenses

Implantable contact lenses, or permanent contact lenses, can treat the same conditions as LASIK. However, unlike LASIK, the ICL procedure is reversible. Further, ICLs treat a wider range of patients than LASIK; those that have thin corneas, corneal damage, or a high degree of myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness) may not be good candidates for LASIK but can undergo the ICL procedure. During ICL surgery, the surgeon creates an incision in the cornea. The permanent contact lens is then placed in front of the natural lens of the eye. The procedure is performed under local anesthetic and only takes about 30 minutes for the surgeon to perform.

ICL Procedure Stats

• ICL Cost: $2,000-$5,000
• Recovery: One to three days
• Results: Within a day
• Side Effects: Halos, glare, double vision,
• Risks: Over/undercorrection, infection, increased intraocular pressure, repositioning or removal of lens, damage to crystalline lens, premature cataract development, retinal detachment

Cataract Surgery

Unfortunately, as we age, the crystalline lens of the eye becomes increasingly clouded due to the development of a cataract. During cataract surgery, the clouded lens can be removed and replaced with a monofocal or multifocal intraocular lens. Cataract surgery and the placement of an intraocular lens can provide cataract patients with clear vision at any age.

The entire cataract surgery procedure is typically performed on an outpatient basis and only takes about 15 minutes. Those that undergo treatment with a multifocal IOL can expect to have clear vision at all distances, greatly reducing patients' dependency on glasses.

Cataract Surgery Procedure Stats

• Cost: An average of $3,279  per eye for cataract surgery with a monofocal implant, $4,461 per eye for cataract surgery with a multifocal implant; insurance typically covers all or a portion of the cost of surgery
• Recovery: One to three weeks
• Results: Good results are experienced within a week of surgery, best results are achieved four to six weeks after surgery
• Side Effects: Pain, dry eye, bleeding, bruising
• Risks: Inflammation, infection, eye pressure changes, retinal swelling at the back of the eye, retinal detachment, endophthalmitis

The Answers You Need from Doctors You Can Trust

Finding an ophthalmologist you can trust is not always an easy task. When you're seeking a physician who is skilled in a particular specialty of eye care, that task can be even more difficult. That is why DocShop provides prospective patients with a complete directory of eye care specialists experienced in LASIK vision correction and other refractive treatments, cataract surgery, and the detection of various eye diseases. Use the DocShop directory to get in touch with doctors in your area. We offer direct access to physician websites so you can connect with the doctor who is right for you.