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I had been wearing glasses for many years and so was excited when I heard about this new treatment. Forget if it was lasik or lasek, but anyway they evaluated me and said I was acceptable for it - long-sighted with astigmatism in left eye.
Had the operation up in London and it was great for about 5 years. Then I needed light reading glasses - okay with that. But now I find every time I go to Specsavers, I need stronger glasses so am really disappointed after hearing that news. I DO have early cataracts, but have to wait until they get worse to be treated. I'm sick of eyes at this point and wonder if there is an eye enhancement operation that is safe?
Why doesn't vision level off and stay somewhat the same when you get older for god's sake? I'm thinking of my friend who is in her late 60's and simply buys cheap reading glasses - yes I know everyone is different, but I really thought this procedure would work and do so for a lengthy time.
0 likes, 3 replies
softwaredev louiselost
Posted
Regular lasik/lasek has nothing to do with the need for reading glasses, which happens to everyone as they age due to a reduction in the eye's ability to accommodate (its ability to change focus to see nearer) which is called presbyopia. As people lose more accommodation as they age they need stronger reading glasses to be able to see near (or a stronger reading add in bifocal or progressive glasses).
There are new experimental laser treatments for dealing with presbyopia using a multifocal or other approach, or some people use laser adjustments to set their eyes for "monovision" where one eye is focused to see well at distance, and the other eye is set to see well a bit nearer in to improve reading vision.
However if you are going to need cataract surgery relatively soon, its likely best to wait for cataract surgery which can deal with the issue of getting more near vision at the same time. Cataract surgery replaces the eye's natural lens with an artificial lens, and those lenses can be set for monovision (one eye focused at distance, and the other closer in) or premium lenses can used which provide good vision at distance and near (with some risk of potential side effects in a minority of patients, like halos).
Some people get cataract surgery even before their cataracts are too bad in order to improve their vision and perhaps get rid of the need for readers. Some people get essentially the same surgery even if they don't have cataracts, when its called "clear lens exchange" or "refractive lens exchange". However artificial lenses get better all the time, so others prefer to wait until their cataract is bothering them so they can get a newer generation of lens. Others prefer not to wait and to get something now that is an improvement. Its sort of like the issue of upgrading cell phones, computers or TVs. The longer you wait, the better option you will be able to buy, but you need to then live with a lower quality choice until you buy something.
Usually lens replacement surgery gets the power of the replacement lens right, but there is a slight chance it'll be off a bit and a laser tweak might be useful after sugery to give you good distance vision. Actually those who have had prior laser surgery are slightly more at risk for the lens power being off. Since you may need a slight laser tweak after cataract surgery, its likely best to not get another one now while you are waiting. There is always risk involved in any surgery so its likley best ot minimize how many times you get laser surgery.
After lens replacement surgery, your vision should be relatively stable the rest of your life, although there is a slight shift of astigmatism as people age, which usually takes years to make a noticeable difference. If it ever gets enough to be a problem, it can be corrected using a small laser or blade incision which causes the eye to reshape itself.
louiselost softwaredev
Posted
Really appreciate your post putting things in perspective! I feel A LOT better.
louiselost softwaredev
Posted
Hi Software again, this really doesn't fall into category of laser but I just wanted to post another problem. I went to the optician a week ago because when I was reading, my right eye saw smudges on the print and was a lighter shade. The left eye (when I shut the right one was fine) but together I still see the smudges which is irritating.
The optician said I had floaters and dry eyes and to put drops in 4 times a day for a week. That didn't seem to help so I'm now scheduled to see an eye surgeon this week. I'm concerned and worried - should I be or do you think this can be corrected?
Thanks in advance.