Eye spy: we can see clearly now

How many fingers are we holding up? If you're not sure, maybe LASIK is in order (or maybe you're just not psychic, but whatever, let's assume the first one). Here's the lowdown on the most popular outpatient procedures for getting you closer to 20/20.

                                Conductive         Implantable
              LASIK             Keratoplasty (CK)  Contact Lenses (ICLs)

What it is    A laser removes   Heat from radio    ICLs are basically
              tissue from the   waves alters the   surgically implanted
              cornea, changing  corneas' shape     contact lenses.
              its shape and     and reduces the
              enhancing the     size of tissues
              eye's ability to  that connect them
              focus.            to the rest of
                                the eye.
Who it's for  People 18 years   People 40 years    People 21 years and
              and older who     and older who      older who are
              are nearsighted,  suffer from        nearsighted and for
              farsighted or     presbyopia (eyes   whom LASIK is not an
              have              can't              option.
              astigmatism.      simultaneously
                                focus at near,
                                middle and far
                                distances).
Benefits      Improved vision   The treatment is   Most patients'
              almost            noninvasive--no    eyesight improves to
              immediately;      lasers, scalpels   20/40 or better. ICLs
              many patients'    or other surgical  are removable if
              eyesight          tools enter your   complications occur.
              improves to       eye.
              20/20 or better.
Risks         Worsening of      Nearsightedness    Bleeding, irritation,
              vision; night     and light          infection and
              glare and/or      sensitivity        redness. Blindness,
              trouble seeing    (these effects     cataracts, iris
              in low-lit        usually subside    inflammation and
              conditions; dry   within a week).    swelling of the
              eye syndrome.     Declined           corneas are rarer
                                effectiveness      complications.
                                over time.
Cost          $1,300-$3,000     $1,500-$2,000 per  $3,500-$4,000 per eye
              per eye           eye

COPYRIGHT 2005 Weider Publications
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group