September 16, 2013 
If you have just found out that you need aid to help you see better, read about the three most common ways of correcting refractive errors…
Choosing the best method of correcting refractive error largely depends on the age of the patient. When it comes to children and teens, there are numerous factors that limit the decision on how to deal with weak vision. On the other hand, adults have a much wider range of solutions; here are the most common and effective ones.
Eyeglasses
Glasses are certainly the oldest method of correcting refractive errors that are associated with the least health risk. Today’s customers are able to choose from a large number of plastic and metal frames and eyeglass lenses made ??of different materials with sophisticated processing of their surfaces. Progressive lenses, with a gradual transition of the diopte , from near to distant vision, are certainly among the most effective ways of correcting presbyopia. However, the possibilities of correcting refractive errors with eyeglasses are sometimes limited due to detachment of eyeglass lenses from the surface of the eye. This delay prevents complete correction of big differences in diopters between the two eyes and the irregularly curved cornea, which in most cases can be corrected with contact lenses and operating procedures of vision correction .
Contact lenses
Contact lenses are a great way of correcting refractive errors, especially in people with high diopters, incorrect or weakened cornea (keratoconus ), as well as in people who are active in sports or are limited by eyeglasses in daily activities. Unlike eyeglasses, when it comes to contact lenses it is very important to inform on the proper handling and their maintenance. Contact lenses can also correct presbyopia . However, it is important to pay attention to the possibilities and limitations of certain types of multifocal contact lenses. Soft multifocal lenses are very practical, but the quality of vision at near or distance sometimes is not satisfactory. Hard gas permeable contact lenses, such as Essential multifocal lenses, can often help people with greater vision requirements. These lenses are considerably more mobile than soft lenses thus providing better transition of diopters , from close to distant objects in a way that is similar to progressive eyeglass lenses . The lack of semi-hard lenses is a longer period of adjustment of about two weeks.
Laser vision correction and implementation of lenses for high diopters
Today, the diopter can be permanently removed with the help of operational procedures – refractive surgery. These procedures include laser vision correction, the installation of additional lenses for high diopters and replacing the natural lens of the eye with an artificial one. When it comes to laser vision correction, the treatment is focused only on the cornea, not touching the eye lens which has an important function of accommodation for looking in vicinity.
Today, there are two types of laser surgery for vision correction on the cornea: advanced surface procedures, known as „advanced PRK „and ” Lasik “ procedures which create a thin corneal flap. The biggest advantage of surface method is less impact on the deeper structure of the cornea and the eye. On the other hand, the surface treatment of cornea means an uncomfortable period of 2-3 days for adjustment as needed for the cornea to heal naturally. Although LASIK procedure is a little more aggressive, postoperative recovery is significantly faster and more comfortable, so today most of the laser vision correction procedures are performed in this way.
In people with too thin corneas or large minus prescriptions that cannot be corrected with laser procedures on the cornea , it is possible to make another simple and safe procedure – the insertion of an artificial lens in the eye. These lenses are also called phakic lenses because they are implemented in front of the natural lens without the need for its removal. Very good results are achieved in recent years with the so-called Cachet phakic lens. These lenses can take down high myopia of -6.00 to -16.50 diopter. There are also the so-called iris-claw Verisyse lenses that are attached to the iris in front of the natural lens. Unfortunately, this procedure is not painless and it usually requires general anesthesia.
Today, there are numerous attempts of permanent operative correction procedures, not only of shortsightedness and farsightedness, but also of presbyopia . Although a large number of solutions for presbyopia prove that there is no one solution for everyone, we will mention some of the procedures that can help people with this problem. Some of those over 40 who want to get rid of glasses for both distant and near vision are very satisfied with the so-called “monovision ” procedure – if they, of course, meet the criteria at the ocular examination . In this procedure, one eye is sharpen for distant vision and the other one for looking in vicinity. A smaller number of people have difficulties in getting used to a new situation, which is why everyone is advised to do the experiment with “monovision ” contact lenses before going into surgery.
The problem of presbyopia can also be fixed by changing the curvature (eccentricity) of the cornea using the so-called presbyLASIK or Intracor procedures. Patients who have cataracts can now choose between installing single power and multifocal intraocular lenses. With this procedure, intraocular lenses for presbyopia will also correct vision at distance and nearness, but because of the principle of work similar to that of soft contact lenses, some patients may not be fully satisfied with the final result .
Therefore, in all these procedures it is important to get well informed with your ophthalmologist about which procedure would be best, before deciding on one of the offered ones. Although it cannot bring back youth, contemporary ophthalmology has much to offer to those who experience difficulties with vision in older age.
Taken from: www.centar zdravlja.net