LASIK and Refractive Surgery

Refractive surgery options – LASIK, PRK, and RLE

Are you ready to live life without relying on your glasses or contact lenses? Cascadia Eye is proud to offer a number of advanced treatments that can improve vision so you can leave them at home. Whether your vision is affected by nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, our experienced eye surgeons can help. And with laser vision correction procedures such as LASIK, PRK, and RLE it’s possible for you to enjoy exceptionally clear vision without the aid of corrective eyewear.

Refractive Diagnoses

The clarity of our vision depends upon the shape of the eye. When a refractive error develops, it is typically caused by the shape of the cornea or length of the eye. This makes it difficult for light rays to be focused on the retina in the back of the eye. As a result, images nearby, far away, or both become blurry. Common refractive errors include nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia.

Cascadia Eye offers treatment for each eye condition, giving you the opportunity to see much more clearly. The following information details a few of the most common visual conditions involving refractive errors.

Nearsightedness

Nearsightedness, also known as myopia, occurs when either the eye is too long from front to back or the cornea is too curved. As a result, light rays can’t be focused onto the retina – rather, they are focused in front of it. This eye condition causes you to see nearby objects clearly, while objects at a farther distance are blurry.

Farsightedness

When you suffer from farsightedness, or hyperopia, nearby objects appear blurry and faraway objects are usually clear. This is caused by the cornea not being curved enough or the eye being too short, which leads to light being focused past the retina. Depending on the severity of hyperopia, vision may not be significantly affected, but it can lead to eye strain, eye fatigue, and possibly headaches.

Astigmatism

A cornea with an irregular shape is considered to have astigmatism. Both nearby and faraway vision can be affected by the uneven cornea, as light cannot be focused properly. People with astigmatism experience vision that is blurred or doubled. They may also notice shadowing around objects and glare at night. Previously, laser surgery could not be done on those with astigmatism, but with today’s advancements in technology, astigmatism can now be corrected with laser surgery such as LASIK or PRK.

Presbyopia

Starting around age 40, people typically begin experiencing the effects of presbyopia, influencing the need for reading glasses. With age, the eye lenses begin to stiffen, making it more difficult for them to adjust focus to objects near and far away. The condition affects everyone to some degree, and it gradually worsens over time. Regular eye exams are necessary to diagnose and determine the best treatment options. Treatment options can include, glasses, contact lenses, and possibly surgery.

Treatment options

Cascadia Eye presents different options for restoring vision to patients suffering from these common eye conditions. In addition to temporary treatments, such as glasses and contact lenses, we also offer corrective refractive surgery through the following surgical methods:

While all of these solutions can provide great results, the best way to understand which is best for your situation is to meet with an eye care professional. By doing so, you can learn the pros and cons of different treatment procedures, as well as your candidacy for the various surgical techniques.

LASIK

LASIK is a popular eye surgery designed to correct your vision through the use of advanced laser technology. It works by reshaping your cornea to reduce refractive errors such as hyperopia, myopia, and astigmatism. The procedure has been known to provide patients with 20/20 vision if not better, and has helped patients across the world get rid of their glasses and contacts.

Are you a candidate for LASIK?

Photorefractive Keratoctomy (PRK)

Photorefractive Keratoctomy (PRK) uses laser correction technology to reshape the cornea, improving your eyesight in a matter of minutes. For those who may not qualify for LASIK, PRK is often a viable alternative that can provide equally effective results.

Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)

Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) is an innovative procedure during which the eye’s natural lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens implant designed to correct refractive errors. This can be an excellent option for patients who do not qualify as good candidates for LASIK or PRK.

Are you a candidate for RLE?

Contact Cascadia Eye

If you would like to learn more, or if you would like to schedule an appointment or consultation with our talented doctors at Cascadia Eye, please contact us today. You may also pre-shop for glasses at our online pre-shopping page any time. Our entire team is committed to protecting and improving your vision and the health of your eyes. We are happy to answer any questions you might have!

In addition, join us on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube to ask your questions about eyes, exams, and our practice. We’d love to hear from you – and there might be a blog to address your questions in the future.