Contact lenses, glasses and modern alternatives
Laser and lens surgery offers modern alternatives to glasses and contact lenses; thus, the disadvantages of those conventional possibilities of correction should not be accepted any more. However, some people are not willing to undergo medical interventions, and others regard their glasses as fashion accessories. That is why we will also be at your disposal if you deliberately decide to use such vision aids. Basically, we recommend to persons wearing contact lenses or glasses that they regularly have their eyes checked. Amongst others, Dr. Taylor is also specialised in the field of contact lenses. If you are looking for alternatives, e.g. laser treatment like Femto LASIK or implantable contact lenses (ICL) and/or - depending on indication - intraocular lenses (IOL) and premium lenses, then we will be happy to advice you.
Contact lenses
Whilst glasses highly magnify or demagnify objects, this effect does only limitedly occur with contact lenses. They create a sharp image directly on the retina and correspondingly allow for a clear all-round visibility. However, the main problem of contact lenses is that there may develop incompatibility over the years. This does not only limit wearing comfort, but may also result in painful and repeated inflammations or temporal or even continuous disability of wearing contact lenses as means for correction of vision. Thus, regular control by an ophthalmologist is of utmost importance when wearing contact lenses.
Glasses
Glasses are the most frequently used means for correction of ametropia. Except for the dependency on the glasses for sharp vision and the limited vision due to staining as well as steaming up and moisture in case of bad weather conditions, the disadvantages are quite low in case of minor and moderate ametropia; however, in case of severe ametropia, there are also effects of demagnification or limitation of the field of vision. Furthermore, glasses can also be annoying, particularly when doing sports, and the frame may not only result in limited wearing comfort, but it may also interfere with your perception.
State-of-the-art alternatives
If you are not positive about the wearing comfort of glasses and contact lenses, or if you developed incompatibility after long-time wearing of contact lenses, then we will be happy to advise you on state-of-the-art alternatives. Depending on your age, type and degree of ametropia, refractive eye surgery offers several possibilities: implantable contact lenses for younger persons that are also suitable in case of severe ametropia and astigmatism. As of an age of 45 years, we rather recommend artificial lenses (also denominated intraocular lenses) for which implantation is performed in the same manner like cataract surgery. In this particular field, Dr. Detlev Breyer is one of the pioneers of lens surgery using the micro-incision technique, and he implants lenses using incisions of only 1.5 - 1.6 mm. Detailed information on refractive laser and lens surgery for correction of ametropia can be found on the homepage of our Centre for Refractive Surgery Premium Eyes.