The availability of advanced technology has introduced major improvements to health treatments, including visual correction. Around 50 years ago, the options for vision correction did not extend any further than wearing glasses and at that time, glasses generally had a heavy design, very thick lenses and were largely uncomfortable to wear.
Over time, modifications have been introduced to enable better optical clarity, while also producing frame and lens designs that were lightweight and more suitable for everyday wear.
Fast forward to today’s sophisticated vision correction options and glasses are no longer the only solution. There are different options available to suit individual lifestyles and preferences, including:
Modern Technology Contact Lenses
Contact lenses have become a popular choice now that designs incorporate technology that helps to keep lenses to stay moist, rather than irritating wearers through dryness. The flexible plastic material makes them easier to put in and extended wear contact lenses allow people to keep them in for up to a month, so there is no need to insert and remove them every morning and night.
For people leading active lives where glasses could get in the way, contact lenses give them a new lease of life, and for those who do not like to wear glasses because of the physical appearance, lenses provide an invisible solution to vision correction.
Laser Eye Treatment
In the 1990s and early 2000s the scope of eye treatments for vision correction was revolutionised by the availability of laser eye treatment. The earliest version was PRK (Photofractive Keratectomy), offering a more long-term solution to vision correction. The procedure produced effective results for many, but the recovery process was longer than the later developed laser treatments.
Modern Types of Laser Eye Treatments
Not long after this breakthrough, LASIK (Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) entered the scene, which reduced pain and recovery time compared to the earlier laser treatments. People’s confidence grew in using laser treatments after seeing how successful and minimally invasive the new laser technology had become.
For sports players, corrective laser treatment enabled them to participate without wearing contact lenses or being affected by poor vision by wearing no type of vision correction solution. As awareness of the effectiveness of LASIK treatment grew, laser eye treatment clinics became more readily available.
Further development continued in the field of laser eye treatment throughout the following years, with different approaches available depending on the specifics of the patient’s eye prescription.
For example, SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) was designed with higher suitability for patients who are short-sighted.
TransPRK, known as the No-Touch-Trans-PRK treatment, also provides an alternative type of laser treatment that is performed without physically touching the eye. For anyone who has a fear of other methods that require incision to create a flap, TransPRK involves a method that they are usually more comfortable with. It uses an excimer laser to reshape the cornea to correct vision.
Typically, laser eye treatments are only available through the NHS for a small number of people, generally those who could lose their vision if corrective surgery is not undertaken.
Many people with myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (long-sightedness) and astigmatism (where the cornea is an oval shape rather than round, causing blurry vision) are now using private laser eye clinics to correct their vision.
Choosing a reputable eye clinic will ensure that the most suitable type of laser treatment is used based on the patient’s eye prescription or condition. Clinics offering laser vision correction in Scotland utilise the latest laser technology for the most effective long-term results.
Success Rates
Studies show that over 96% of patients achieve their desired visual correction through TransPRK treatment and for short-sighted patients, some studies revealed that close to 100% of patients achieved 20/20 vision following the procedure.
Lens Implants
Another vision correction option that is now available is a lens implant procedure. This is commonly used for treating cataracts and involves replacing the natural lens of the eye with a lens implant or placing it alongside the existing lens.
Lens implants often offer an alternative for people who are not suitable for having laser eye treatment, older patients and for those who have very strong prescriptions. The procedure is usually quick, with patients able to go home the same day.
People affected by vision conditions now have a wide range of options to choose from and no longer need to rely on wearing glasses or disposable contact lenses. Convenient, long-term corrective vision solutions are widely available, and many people feel that the difference that it makes to their life more than justifies the cost.
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Our Editorial Team are writers and experts in their field. Their views and opinions may not always be the views of Wellbeing Magazine. If you are under the direction of medical supervision please speak to your doctor or therapist before following the advice and recommendations in these articles.
