Ask a few people if they really love wearing eyeglasses and most, if not all, would answer that they don’t. And perhaps, if you also wear one, you’d answer the same way too. Oftentimes, you’re tired of putting on eyewear or contact lenses just to see things correctly.
Not only that but there’s also the constant struggle of fogging while wearing a face mask or your eyeglasses getting rained, prompting you to wipe it with a cloth. Surely, you’ve also previously stumbled across the term, “LASIK.”
Over the years, LASIK, which stands for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, has been the most popular eye refractive surgery for people with poor vision. While there isn't enough data to back the safety and effectiveness of the treatment in the long run, most patients who underwent LASIK surgery achieve 20/20 vision and are satisfied with the results.
The Downside of LASIK
After learning about its safe and quick procedure, you’ve taken interest in booking a LASIK surgery. But like any other surgery, you must pass the screening first. This is to ensure that you don’t have any conditions that might result in complications. These include, but are not limited to:
Autoimmune disorders, such as HIV and lupus
Eye diseases, such as keratoconus
Eye injuries
Dry eye syndrome
Glaucoma and cataracts
Severe myopia or high refractive error
Pregnancy or nursing
Taking prescription drugs
Thin or thick cornea
Uncontrolled diabetes, such as diabetic retinopathy
Having any aforementioned condition puts you at risk, disqualifying you as a candidate for LASIK surgery. But the good news is, there’s an alternative option.
So what’s the better alternative?
Most people only know about refractive surgeries like LASIK, but did you know that you can achieve clear vision without undergoing surgery?
Orthokeratology, more commonly known as ortho-k, is a non-surgical, non-invasive procedure that reshapes your cornea using specialized lenses custom-fit to the eye’s shape and grade. Your eye doctor will prescribe you to wear these overnight while you sleep, where the epithelial layer of the cornea follows the shape of the ortho-k molds. Upon waking up, the molds are removed, giving you the clear and stable vision you’ve always dreamed of.
Is Ortho-K better than LASIK?
1. Lower risk of complications
Both ortho-k and LASIK have associated risks, the latter is considered more serious. While LASIK complications are uncommon, they can cause corneal disorders such as astigmatism or severe dry eye syndrome, as well as visual difficulties such as glare, distortion, and seeing halos around lights.
Conversely, the risks associated with ortho-k lenses are the same as those associated with any other rigid contact lenses. Poor hygiene is the most common cause of contact lens irritation and complications.
2. Ortho-k is reversible
Because LASIK surgery is not reversible, additional medical procedures may be required to correct any problems that arise. Ortho-k, on the other hand, is painless and completely reversible if you decide to stop using it. Your corneas will gradually revert to their original, natural shape after a few nights without wearing the lenses.
3. More affordable than LASIK
It's common knowledge that LASIK surgeries are expensive and most of the time, they're not covered by medical insurance or HMOs. In most cases, the up-front expenses of ortho-k lenses are much lesser than the cost of LASIK surgery.
For starters, you only need to pay as low as P40,000 for an ortho-k treatment, whereas LASIK can go as high as P120,000. But of course, one reason why it’s cheaper is that you still need to attend to your doctor for follow-ups, depending on your case.
Interested in Ortho-K?
If you want to know more about ortho-k and you believe you’re a good candidate, the best thing to do now is to visit the best eye doctor near you.
At Eyecare Deluxe, Dr. Lareen Dawn Tan is more than happy to guide you through all of your needs and options in achieving the 20/20 vision. To learn more about ortho-k or to schedule an appointment, contact us today!