There are four stages of vision development throughout life. Vision Correction surgery offers many different procedures and can treat all of them:
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Growth Phase
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Ocular Maturity
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Presbyopia (Dysfunctional Lens Phase)
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Cataract
Growth Phase
The first stage of vision development occurs in childhood and adolescence. The incidence of myopia (nearsightedness) is increasing worldwide. Theories as to why focus mainly on the increased use of hand-held devices such as smartphones, increased hours spent studying, and decreased outdoor activities. Recent studies have confirmed what common sense suggested – children with nearsightedness has significant social and emotional consequences that can limit participation in activities and can impair self-esteem. While Vision Correction surgery is not generally recommended during the growth phase, treatments are available to provide normal or near-normal vision and function during this stage. A variety of treatments to provide good vision, improve safety, and even slow the progression of the vision disorder.
Ocular Maturity
The next stage of vision development is “ocular maturity”, which occurs in early adulthood, usually by age 18. At this age, Vision Correction surgery becomes safe and effective, replacing the need for glasses and contact lenses. Quick, safe, comfortable surgical procedure such as LASIK, PRK, SMILE or the Implantable Contact Lens (ICL) are most commonly used. These procedures do not wear off, they are permanent and in the absence of underlying conditions, they last for a lifetime.
Presbyopia (Dysfunctional Lens Phase)
The third stage of vision development is presbyopia, or the loss of reading vision, which occurs between ages 40 and 50. Near vision loss is due to hardening of the internal lens in the eye, hence it is often referred to as Dysfunctional Lens Syndrome or DLS. There are several excellent procedures available to restore reading vision, ranging from LASIK to inlays to lens exchanges. Again, results are permanent in the absence of other conditions.
Cataract
The final stage is advanced DLS with cataract formation, where the natural lens in the eye becomes cloudy. Those who had a lens exchange for presbyopia never develop cataracts because their lens was already removed. For everyone else, there are refractive lens exchange procedures. In these procedures, the natural lens is replaced with a high-technology implant lens that provides vision at all distances, alleviating the need for glasses.
People often think they are not candidates for refractive surgery when they are actually excellent candidates. There are excellent options and procedures for all stages of vision development and the RSA is committed to providing the benefits of Vision Correction surgery to everyone and at each stage of life.