Corneal Inlays: A Surgical Alternative to Reading Glasses (2024)

FAQs

Can you get eye surgery instead of reading glasses? ›

Until recently, the most common treatment options for presbyopia were eyeglasses, contact lenses or laser vision corrective surgery. Today, corneal inlays offer an alternative to wearing reading glasses. They are implanted in the eye with a minimally-invasive surgical procedure, restoring close-up vision.

Another effective alternative to reading glasses is the use of contact lenses specifically designed for near vision correction. These contact lenses, commonly known as reading contact lenses or contacts for readers, provide clear vision for close-up tasks while maintaining good distance vision.

Corneal inlay costs can fluctuate significantly based on the surgeon performing the procedure and unique patient considerations. Generally speaking, the cost of the corneal inlays could range from $4,000 to $5,000, but you need to speak with an eye doctor to get a more tailored cost estimate.

“We have in fact done cataract surgery on patients who have previously undergone Kamra as part of the FDA study prior to approval, and those patients have done very well.” Dr. Machat concurs that corneal inlays can last a lifetime without complicating future ophthalmic interventions.

Conductive keratoplasty, commonly referred to as CK, is an FDA-approved non-invasive eye surgery that corrects this condition. CK uses radio waves to heat and reshapes your cornea so that light can be focused on your retina. After the procedure, expect not to have to reach for your reading glasses as often.

The surgery aims at correcting presbyopia by increasing the refractive power of the non dominant eye for reading vision. The inlay is implanted to make the cornea steeper in the center.

You can. Vuity is the only FDA-approved eye drop that treats age-related near vision blur—an eye condition better known as presbyopia. These drops are most effective in people aged 40 to 55 who struggle to see clearly when performing daily tasks—such as reading your phone or computer screen.

For the vast majority of people, over-the-counter (OTC) readers should not be a problem as long as they match the power of the prescription. For instance, if your doctor recommends +2.00 in each eye, then purchasing OTC readers of the same power should generally suffice.

A corneal transplant is usually covered by private medical insurance and Medicare when deemed medically necessary by your doctor.

How to not have to wear reading glasses? ›

Contact lenses are another great option to allow you to focus at distance and near without the need for reading glasses. There are two main contact lens options to correct your near vision: multifocal and monovision.

Most cornea transplant operations are successful. But cornea transplant carries a small risk of complications, such as rejection of the donor cornea.

Conclusion. The 5-year survival rate for crowns and inlays/onlays is very high, exceeding 90%. An association between the kind of complications and different types of restorations could not be established. Nevertheless, a relatively high failure rate due to caries and ceramic fractures was noted.

Fortunately, the corneal inlay is removable if there is a problem. Like LASIK procedures, it is very common to notice eye dryness or night vision halos, which typically normalize between 1-3 months after the procedure.

Most people who undergo LASIK surgery will have good to excellent vision in most situations, for many years or decades. You'll be able to play sports and swim, or even just see the clock first thing in the morning, without having to worry about your glasses or contact lenses.

Whether or not you will still need to wear glasses after surgery can depend on a number of factors, including: the type of lens you have fitted during surgery (whether it's monofocal or multifocal), your prescription beforehand, your overall eye health, and whether you have an astigmatism.

In general, most people who have laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) eye surgery achieve 20/20 vision or better, which works well for most activities. But most people still eventually need glasses for driving at night or reading as they get older. LASIK surgery has a good track record.

Although there are no magic pills or tricks that can totally improve or heal your vision, making conscious choices to live an overall healthier lifestyle, being aware of how you're protecting and treating your eyes on a daily basis, and getting regular eye exams can truly help you have the best vision possible.

Up to 99.5% of people who undergo laser surgery achieve 20/40 vision or better, and 90% to 95% achieve 20/20 vision or better. Lens placement or replacement procedures: Up to 84% of people with implanted lenses achieve 20/40 vision or better after their procedure.