A guide to vision correction

Centuries ago, people born with poor eyesight often had to struggle with the side effects of refractive errors indefinitely with no true way to seek relief. Fortunately, in modern times, that’s not the case. You have more options than ever before to help address your vision problems.  

With all things, talking about addressing poor eyesight and actually correcting it are two different things. It can be intimidating and overwhelming to pursue vision correction if you’ve never had to before – don’t worry though, we’ve got your back.  

Here’s our definitive guide to vision correction and how to understand the (sometimes complicated) world of eye care.  

Techniques to correct your vision have been around for millennia. This means there’s a lot of history and interesting anecdotes which are ultimately not useful to you on your vision correction journey. If you’re interested though, there’s lots to learn.  

Anyways, moving on.  

Types of corrective lenses 

 If you’re one of the millions of people lucky enough to have astigmatism, you may have noticed your prescription has more than just one number for each eye. Those extra numbers are there to correct for that.   

These lenses have a slightly more complicated role than other contact lenses as they need to not only correct your myopia/hyperopia but also need to be in the right place to do so. With astigmatism, your eye is slightly irregular in shape which means the light will interact with your eye differently as it passes through the cornea.  

Cylindrical lenses serve to correct for that change while spherical lenses do not.  

Many people aren’t super excited to learn that they were born with poor vision or have developed it over time. At some point in time though, almost everyone experiences refractory errors.  

Fortunately, there are more options available today to fix these issues than ever before. Getting 20/20 vision is within reach for almost everyone.  

Before you start down the path of finding vision correction, you’ll need to visit an eye doctor’s office for an eye exam. They’ll assess your eye health and help you figure out exactly what you need to have crisp, clear vision.  

Depending on your situation and prescription, you will have different options for vision correction. Your eye doctor will be your first and best contact to navigate what will work best for you.  

On your prescription, you’ll be prescribed either contacts, glasses, or both. From there you’ll need to renew your prescription every 1-2 years to continue getting contacts or new glasses. If you’ve worn glasses or contacts before, you know this can be a hassle, especially if you’re positive your vision hasn’t changed.  

Fortunately, we have a solution for that with our ExpressExam. While it is not a comprehensive eye exam, it is a valuable tool for anyone who regularly wears contact lenses.  

Contact lenses continue to rapidly grow in popularity.  

They are often more comfortable and easier to wear than glasses, making them the first choice for many individuals. They are much more convenient for most activities that involve movement. Contacts also have the benefit of being almost invisible – no need to coordinate them with your outfit.  

Additionally, contact lenses can treat virtually all forms of vision problems. Cosmetic lenses are also a growing trend. Some people order tinted prescription lenses or even non-prescription lenses to alter their eye color. It’s a fun way to mix things up and it’s only available to contact lens wearers.  

Obviously, we’re biased towards contacts, but they are truly an amazing option for people looking to deal with their poor vision quickly and simply.  

Glasses are old-school vision correction, but that doesn’t mean they’re obsolete.  

They continue to be many people’s preferred form of vision correction. Modern glasses are not only significantly more stylish but also offer more options for vision correction.  

Glasses today are often made from a high-strength resin making glasses lighter and more durable than ever before. Polycarbonate is one of the most popular materials for lenses. It has increased durability, a high index potential, and impressive UV filtering properties. 

We’ve got some great friends over at Liingo Eyewear who can help you find the perfect pair.  

And lastly, there is the option of permanently changing your vision with surgical intervention. Some procedures, such as LASIK, are quick and painless and can permanently correct some refractory errors. All surgery comes with risk though and it’s important to be well-informed before making that decision.  

LASIK can correct myopia, astigmatism, and some amount of hyperopia, but not all issues can be solved through surgery. Presbyopia, for example, cannot be treated with surgery. This means that patients who undergo corrective surgery to treat another condition may have to wear reading glasses later in life. 

Many people have been pleased with the results of refractive surgery, but it is not for everyone. Some people are ineligible based on age, physical condition, and prescription.  

The three most common kinds of refractive surgery are Radial Keratotomy (RK), Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK), and Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK).