Want to Ditch the Reading Glasses? Let’s Talk Options!

Individuals who rely on reading glasses may initially find their new accessory stylish, even somewhat novel. After a short time of constantly having to put on glasses to read a menu, a label, or a book, and then remove them to look around the room or perform another task, most people are over the unique “fun” of their reading glasses. But what can be done about this? Because LASIK is possibly the most well-known vision-correcting procedure, this may be the first potential treatment to come to mind. At Shenandoah LASIK & Cataract Center in Winchester, patients have another option to consider: the Raindrop Inlay.
The Raindrop Inlay may be used as in some cases as a LASIK alternative to improve presbyopia. This age-related decline in near vision usually occurs sometime shortly after the age of 40. The reason that near vision is lost at this age is that the eyes’ lenses lose flexibility. For light to reflect appropriately off the retina at the back of the eye, the front of the eye, the cornea, needs to hold a certain shape. Inflexibility in the lens, which lies over the cornea, inhibits this function.
Improving Over-40 Vision with Minor Eye Surgery
LASIK is a relatively minor eye surgery that corrects vision by reshaping the cornea. The Raindrop Inlay is an option for individuals with presbyopia because this microscopic lens gently alters the cornea’s curvature. The Raindrop Inlay is ultra-thin, about as thick as a strand of hair. Water is the primary component of this pin-head sized lens, which makes it invisible to the naked eye, and also in alignment with the body’s natural chemistry.
The Raindrop Inlay is inserted just behind the surface of the non-dominant eye only. The presence of this lens reshapes the curve of the cornea in that eye, leading to improved up-close vision. By treating the non-dominant eye, greater working harmony is created between both eyes.
The Bottom Line
Presbyopia is a common condition for which we now have multiple treatment options. The best way to know if the Raindrop Inlay is a suitable alternative to LASIK is to consult with your eye doctor who is familiar with both options. We would be happy to help you explore your options. Call 540.722.6200.
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