Choosing Between Glasses, Contacts, and Laser Eye Surgery

Often, we don’t notice our vision declining until we are squinting at computer screens or struggling to read street signs.  When vision problems are not addressed, other uncomfortable issues can arise in the form of eye strain, headache, blurred vision, and the inability to focus or clearly see short or long distances. Fortunately, our board certified Ophthalmologist and our licensed optometrist at Georgia Eye Physicians and Surgeons can help you find a tailored option to correct your vision by providing different options to suit your needs.eyeglasses and contacts atlanta ga

Glasses and Contacts for easily removable, temporary correction: Glasses are a very popular option to improve or correct vision problems, including nearsightedness (myopia) and farsightedness (hyperopia).  They are made of glass or plastic that is ground into lenses, which correct refractive errors by adding or subtracting focus to the eye’s cornea and lens.  To determine the type of glasses needed, our optometrist, Dr. Marc Lay, will speak with you about your vision changes and perform an eye exam.

Eyeglass lenses are concave, convex, or cylindrical. Concave lenses, which are marked by a minus (-) symbol, are thinnest at the center and correct nearsightedness. Convex lenses, which are marked by a plus (+) symbol, are used to correct farsightedness. Cylindrical lenses are used to correct astigmatism and curve more in one direction than the other. Georgia Eye Physicians and Surgeons also provides a wide array of optical and designer eyeglass frames to suit your personal taste.

Contact lenses can also be used to correct or improve vision. Contacts correct vision likewise to eyeglasses:  they change the power of the eye front allowing images to come into focus. Contact lenses are small, plastic discs that are placed on the eye’s surface and are safe when used with proper care. Depending on eye health and lifestyle, some patients prefer contact lenses over eyeglasses. We offer a variety of types of contact lenses depending on the patient’s needs, including disposable, gas permeable, toric, multifocal, and bandage contacts.

LASIK and PRK Surgery for permanent vision improvement: Board-certified ophthalmologist Dr. William Segal performs LASIK eye surgery, a common type of refractive surgery, for patients looking for permanently improved vision. In most cases, patients who have had LASIK surgery eliminate the need for contacts or glasses until vision begins to decline because of increased age, when people often naturally need reading glasses. Dr. Segal performs the surgery by using a microkeratome or femtosecond laser/Intralase cutting device to cut a flap in the cornea, vaporizing and removing a previously determined thickness of excess corneal tissue with a laser. Intralase is used depending on the patient’s eye shape and can create a more customizable shape when the corneal flap is cut, fitting back over the eye precisely. The number of people who choose LASIK surgery to correct their vision increases every year, as does technology, accuracy, precision and follow up care.

Performed as an alternative to LASIK surgery, PRK surgery adjusts the cornea to properly focus light onto the retina and improve vision. During this treatment Dr. Segal reshapes the surface of the cornea with an ultraviolet laser. This highly effective surgery is especially helpful for patients with nearsightedness.

Through consultation and eye exam, Georgia Eye Physicians and Surgeons can help determine the method of vision correction that is right for you. To schedule an appointment, please contact us and be sure to follow Georgia Eye Physicians and Surgeons on Facebook and Twitter.