With age comes wisdom. Unfortunately, with age also comes fuzzy, out-of-focus vision that might require glasses or contacts. Even with vigilant upkeep that can range from sitting adequately far back from the television to munching on carrots, there’s only so much one can do to slow the effects of time on one’s eyes. Fortunately, there have never been more options available for alternatives to the traditional glass-and-metal setup.

Lasik

One of the first thoughts that many people have when confronting the idea of vision enhancement is Lasik. One of the second thoughts that many people have is, “I am not okay with eyeball surgery.” The good news is that Lasik surgery is getting more advanced (and less invasive) every day. After an evaluation, a price is determined based on need, potentially as low as $299 per eye. Typically, the procedure is pain-free and can take as little as 15 minutes per eye, resulting in 20/20 vision.

Photorefractive Keratectomy

While Lasik is a household name, there are plenty of other options available. A similar laser procedure, for example, is called Photorefractive Keratectomy, or PRK. If one goes through Lasik’s screening process and finds out that they aren’t a candidate, they may want to consider PRK. Primarily intended for those with dry eyes or thin corneas, the process can be slower than Lasik with a longer recuperation time.

Implantable Contact Lens

If you’d rather not alter the shape of your cornea with a laser, there is the option to get high-definition vision with an implanted contact. Long used to correct cataracts, implantable contact lenses allow you the Lasik experience without the risk. They are also used to treat nearsightedness, myopia, and astigmatism.

Refractive Lens Exchange

Great for older patients, a refractive lens exchange swaps out your eye’s natural lens for a manmade one. One of the major benefits of this is that the naturally occurring lens of your eye is susceptible to becoming a cataract later in life; a manmade lens removes this variable from the equation and allows the patient excellent vision.

Vision Therapy

Should Lasik (or its surgical cousins) still sound like something out a science fiction nightmare, there are nonsurgical options available as well. Vision therapy is more akin to physical therapy, with treatment available for those with issues like lazy eyes, double vision, and learning disabilities. Performed under the supervision of a doctor, this is one approach that involves exercises in office that can result in the betterment of your vision.

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