Heading into summer and all the fun activities that come with it, wearers of glasses and contact lenses are often reminded of the extra annoyances that accompany them.

If you've been considering permanent vision correction, you likely have many questions about the available procedures and which might be a good option for your unique situation.

Ophthalmologist Dr. Joseph King, MD FRCSC DABO, from in 性视界传媒, shares insights on the four treatment options currently available, who can benefit, and how they work.

"Whether someone is just looking to reduce their dependence on reading glasses or seeking full vision correction, we have a solution that can help most people achieve visual freedom from glasses at every stage of life," says Dr. King, who has completed over 200,000 vision correction procedures in his 27 years of experience. 

1. LASIK: LASIK utilizes a laser to reshape the cornea, improving vision by correcting issues like myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. It offers quick recovery and minimal discomfort.
2. PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy): Similar to LASIK but involves removing the cornea's outer layer to reshape it. Suitable for patients with thin corneas, but has a longer recovery time compared to LASIK.
3. RLE (Refractive Lens Exchange): Ideal for those with presbyopia or hyperopia. It replaces the eye's natural lens with an artificial one, improving vision without the need for glasses or contacts. Those who receive RLE have the added benefit of never having to worry about cataracts. 
4. ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens): An option for those who are not candidates for LASIK or PRK. The ICL procedure involves implanting a lens inside the eye, providing clear vision without altering the cornea.

"I had my own LASIK procedure done over 20 years ago and it's really amazing to see how far Lasik has come since then, along with the advancements and many new alternative treatments that have come available in recent years. Not only do these treatments offer freedom from glasses and contacts, in some cases they can even prevent the need for future treatments, like cataract surgery," Dr. King says.

Visit Dr. King and the rest of the Fraser Valley Cataract and Laser/BC LASIK team in person at or phone them at (604) 372-3937. Find them online at bclasik.ca, on , or.