People with clear vision may take for granted how fortunate it is to see crisp, clear images without the assistance from any prescriptive lenses or eye treatments. But for those who suffer from vision impairment, a clear and unaltered view of people and objects is a great source of satisfaction. Fortunately, even those who suffer from vision impairment have treatment options to consider in order to restore crisper, clearer vision. One eye condition that is commonly seen by laser eye surgeon Andrew E. Holzman is nearsightedness. Dr. Holzman offers his Virginia patients a range of nearsightedness treatments, including LASIK, which reshapes the cornea to correct vision impairment.
Nearsightedness Treatments
There are several treatment options for patients who suffer from nearsightedness. These options range in terms of how invasive the treatment is and how long the results of treatment can be expected. Dr. Holzman will discuss all of these details with patients in order to come up with a nearsightedness treatment that most closely matches each patient’s vision goals and lifestyle. Below are some options for patients to consider:
- Glasses or contact lenses: Glasses and contact lenses are typically the first recommended treatment for nearsightedness. Both are a non-invasive treatment that can address nearsightedness and allow patients to see clearer. However, obviously, the results of this treatment are short-term. The treatment is only effective while the glasses or contact lenses are being worn, and really only treats the side effects of nearsightedness, rather than the condition itself.
- LASIK: LASIK is a very popular treatment option for patients who suffer from nearsightedness. Once a patient reached a point where the degree of nearsightedness is stable, LASIK can be considered. LASIK is a surgical treatment that uses a high-powered laser to alter the shape of the cornea, thus treating the condition of nearsightedness at its source. LASIK is more costly than glasses or contact lenses in the short-term, but over time, will save patients the costs of the upkeep and replacement of glasses and contact lenses. The results of LASIK are long-term, with most patients never requiring additional treatment for nearsightedness. In addition to traditional LASIK, Dr. Holzman also offers IntraLase®, a blade-free LASIK procedure.
- PRK: PRK is another form of laser eye surgery. PRK can reshape the cornea in order to address vision impairment problems such as nearsightedness. However, unlike with LASIK, during the PRK procedure, these alterations are made to the surface of the cornea, rather than the inner tissues of the cornea. This allows Dr. Holzman to treat nearsightedness without creating a corneal flap (a key component of LASIK). PRK may be ideal for patients who are poor candidates for LASIK due to the thinness of their cornea or the presence of corneal scarring.
Contact Us
At the laser eye surgery center of Andrew E. Holzman, we offer a range of vision treatments that allow our patients to address vision impairment using the most advanced, effective, and safest treatment techniques. If you suffer from nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, or other visual obstructions, contact us to discuss your vision treatment options. We can help you restore clear vision that could last a lifetime.
