If you’ve always wanted crisp, sharp, unencumbered vision, it can be disappointing to find out you're not a LASIK candidate. The good news is that you still have another option.
With a refractive implant like EVO ICL, you can achieve clearer vision without visual aids than you ever thought possible. Keep reading to learn more about why EVO ICL could be your vision solution if you’re not a LASIK candidate.
LASIK is a refractive eye surgery that uses lasers to fix refractive errors. When you have a refractive error, your eyes don’t bend or refract light correctly.
Normally, your cornea, the clear tissue at the front of your eye, refracts or bends light properly so that it lands precisely on the retina for clear vision. But when you have a refractive error, the shape of your cornea prevents light from refracting and focusing on your retina as it should.
As a result, images appear blurry. LASIK changes the shape of your cornea so that light hits the retina accurately, enabling you to see clearly.
With LASIK, you can correct nearsightedness, astigmatism, and farsightedness, significantly decreasing or even potentially eliminating the need for glasses or contact lenses.
The procedure starts with the application of numbing eye drops so you won’t feel pain. Your LASIK surgeon will then use a laser to make a thin flap on the outermost layer of your cornea or epithelium.
They’ll lift and fold the flap back in order to access the underlying corneal tissue. Using a programmed laser, they’ll reshape your cornea by removing microscopic amounts of tissue.
Modifying the shape of your cornea corrects your refractive error, allowing you to see more clearly. Finally, your LASIK surgeon will carefully return the flap to its original position. The flap reattaches itself without requiring stitches.
Not everyone is a candidate for LASIK. You may not qualify for LASIK if you have any of the following:
Severe dry eyes
Corneal scarring or disease
Very thin corneas
Uncontrolled diabetes
Advanced glaucoma
A history of certain eye infections
A cone-shaped cornea or keratoconus
Extreme farsightedness, nearsightedness, or astigmatism
You’re also not a good LASIK candidate if you’re pregnant or nursing.
Vision correction doesn’t stop at LASIK. If you’re not a suitable LASIK candidate, you can still achieve the visual freedom you desire with an additive technology like EVO ICL, which is just as effective as LASIK.
Your ophthalmologist may recommend EVO ICL if your corneas are too thin to safely create a flap. EVO ICL corrects refractive errors without making a LASIK flap or removing any corneal tissue.
It can also be a fantastic LASIK alternative if your prescription is too high. EVO ICL is designed to correct large amounts of nearsightedness and astigmatism beyond what LASIK can effectively treat.
Additionally, EVO ICL can be a good option if you engage in contact sports like martial arts and boxing, which can lead to repeated eye trauma. No LASIK flap means no chance for the flap to get dislodged or damaged during contact sports.
If you can’t have LASIK because of severe dry eyes, EVO ICL can be a good option. The procedure leaves your cornea and corneal nerves intact, significantly reducing the risk of exacerbating dry eyes.
EVO ICL is a refractive implant that addresses nearsightedness and astigmatism. Unlike LASIK, EVO ICL or Implantable Collamer Lens is an additive technology that corrects your vision without removing any corneal tissue.
EVO ICL is made of a biocompatible material that seamlessly integrates with your ocular tissues and works in harmony with your eye. It functions similarly to contact lenses but is permanently implanted inside your eye, eliminating the hassle of daily maintenance.
Your EVO ICL surgeon will first numb your eye with anesthetic eye drops. Next, they’ll make a small incision in your cornea and insert the EVO ICL through that opening.
They’ll then position the flexible lens in front of your natural lens and behind your iris, or colored part of the eye, to improve your vision. Once implanted, you won’t see or feel it.
The incision made heals on its own without requiring stitches. The procedure is completed within 20 to 30 minutes, and you can go home the same day.
While it may take several days to weeks for your vision to stabilize and your eye to fully heal, many patients see an improvement in their vision shortly after their procedure.
You may be eligible for EVO ICL if:
Your eyes are healthy
You have moderate to severe nearsightedness or astigmatism
Your prescription has remained stable for at least a year
You’re between ages 21 and 45
Some of the advantages of EVO ICL include:
EVO ICL provides sharp, crisp, high-definition vision without glasses or contact lenses, even in low-light settings. Additionally, its unique material ensures minimal visual aberrations such as glare and halos.
EVO ICL provides permanent vision correction. However, unlike LASIK, which can't be reversed, EVO ICL can be reversed if necessary.
Knowing this is possible can give you lasting peace of mind if you’re nervous or unsure about altering your vision permanently.
Too much exposure to UV rays raises your risk of certain eye conditions, including cataracts, macular degeneration, and even eye cancers.
EVO ICL not only enhances your vision but also protects your eye health. Its collamer material filters ultraviolet (UV) rays, shielding your eyes from the sun’s harmful effects.
If you’ve been told you’re not a candidate for LASIK, EVO ICL can be an excellent alternative. After a thorough evaluation and comprehensive eye exam, our experienced ophthalmologist can determine if you’re an ideal EVO ICL candidate.
Are you interested in EVO ICL in Charlotte? Schedule a complementary consultation with Dr. Nunnery at Providence Eye & Laser Specialists in Charlotte, NC, today to take the first step to a brighter, clearer tomorrow without glasses or contact lenses.
