Eyesight Not Up To Par? Here’s Your Vision Correction Options

by Jackie LaMar · Dec 27, 2020

Many of us have found ourselves working from home during 2020. While it’s very common to have vision challenges as you age, all that extra screen time puts yet another strain on your eyes. So what are your vision correction options?

Corrective Lenses

For at least a few hundred years, failing vision has been addressed by using corrective lenses. Before the advent of contact lenses, the lay person’s term for corrective lenses was “glasses,” because the lenses were typically made of glass.

Eyeglasses

Historically (and sadly still somewhat today), those who wore glasses were often tagged with derogatory names. But times and fashions have changed, thankfully. Nowadays, your eyewear (“glasses”) can make a fashion statement. They’re not just to help you see better, they’re part of your wardrobe. It’s common for those who wear glasses to have several pair, each to complement a particular part of their wardrobe or mood. They’re a long ways from yesterday’s cliche “nerd,” they’re trendsetters.

Contact Lenses

For those adverse to wearing traditional eyewear, for whatever reason, contact lenses are a good option. Just as with glasses, contact have evolved a great deal since their inception. Almost any vision issue can be improved or eliminated. They do require more maintenance than glasses, however. Regular cleaning and disinfecting is necessary to maintain good eye health.

On the other hand, there’s the convenience of not having anything resting on your face all day, and no worries about the lens fogging.

Of course, contact lenses and fashion eyewear are not exclusive of one another. It’s common for those needing vision correction to have both contacts and glasses, using each as their activity and changing preferences require.

Surgical Correction

Medical technology has made it possible for vision correction to be accomplished surgically. There’s a broad variety of specific surgical procedures, some of which are intended to treat very specific vision challenges, including:

LASIK (laser in-situ keratomileusis)
PRK (photorefractive keratectomy)
LASEK (laser epithelial keratomileusis)
RLE (refractive lens exchange)
EpiLasik
PRELEX (presbyopic lens exchange)
Intacs
AK (astigmatic keratonomy)

Most people who opt for surgical correction report being highly satisfied with the result. But as with any surgery there are risks, and surgery is significantly more expensive than either contacts or glasses.

Choosing Your Best Option

Choosing which option to pursue for vision correction is, of course, quite personal. You’ll want to consult with a qualified professional to decide what’s best for you. But don’t delay in taking care of your eyes – you only get one pair!