What are the Different Types of Eye Treatment?

Many people throughout the world that have trouble seeing. Problems such as farsightedness, nearsightedness, and eye diseases can wreak havoc with our vision, impeding our ability to see properly. To combat vision problems, different forms of eye treatments have come to light. Glasses, contact lenses, and eye surgery are three eye treatments that have been developed in order to help people see better. These treatments work to refocus our eyes and provide a sharper, crisper image.

When we see an object, we are actually seeing the light that bounces off the object. Our eyes take in that light and focus it on the back of the eye, which is called the retina. In some people the eye is not shaped correctly, and light focuses in front or behind the retina. In these cases, an appropriate eye treatment is used to correct these problems. Before any eye treatments are prescribed, however, an eye doctor must examine the eyes.

An eye examination determines the condition of the eye and what eye treatment method would best treat the condition. During the exam, the doctor will not only assess any vision problems but will also establish the health of the eye, checking for issues such as glaucoma or signs of cataracts. After the examination is complete, the doctor can provide the appropriate eye treatment options. A prescription will have to be issued by the doctor if the patient wants corrective lenses. The doctor can also inform patients about the different types of eye surgeries that can correct the problem.

Corrective lenses commonly refer to eyeglasses and contact lenses. If a person does not want frames to block others' view of his face, contact lenses are another eye treatment option. Contact lenses are placed on the cornea--that is, the surface of the eye. This eye treatment option is usually meant to be removed and cleaned on a regular basis in order to prevent infection of the eye.

For those who want a more permanent solution to their eye problems, there are also different eye corrective surgeries available. Refractive eye surgery has to do with changing the way the light focuses in the eye. Some of the different types of refractive eye surgery are radial keratotomy, photorefractive keratectomy, and laser assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery. Other types of eye corrective surgeries are lens implant surgery and refractive lens exchange. When successful, a patient will not have to worry about wearing corrective lenses for a long time, if ever again.