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Alternatives to LASIK in Denver

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LASIK Alternatives, Monovision LASIK, ICLs, and RLE in Denver

LASIK is a highly effective procedure, offering an ideal solution for many people who are seeking clearer vision. Nonetheless, at 20/20 Institute, our commitment to patient care, safety, and satisfaction means recognizing that LASIK is not the right solution in every case.

Everyone’s eyes are unique. The key to finding the proper vision correction solution is to find a team of experienced professionals who can accurately assess your situation and needs. This team must be candid and transparent enough to present you with your best options for vision correction, even if those options do not include what that provider can offer to you.

At 20/20 Institute, we have found that LASIK offers some of the best visual outcomes. However, several issues can interfere with candidacy for the procedure. You have our promise that we will be candid and transparent with our findings from your LASIK candidacy screening. If something other than LASIK will be a better fit for your needs, we will happily discuss these more suitable alternatives. If we do not offer the best solution for your eyes, we will refer you to established providers in the area who do. Our Denver LASIK doctors are fully committed to helping each person find the right solution for their visual needs.

To schedule your FREE consultation at one of our three Denver-area locations, contact 20/20 Institute online or call us at 303-202-0669 today. We offer LASIK and LASIK alternatives to good candidates from all areas of Colorado.

LASIK Alternatives in Denver

Eyeglasses & Contact Lenses

Eyeglasses and contact lenses are the most easily accessible and basic types of vision correction available. The gold standard for vision correction, glasses and contacts should always be considered first, before exploring surgical options to correct vision. However, while eyeglasses and contact lenses are both versatile and easily accessible, they also come with a fair number of inconveniences, including the need for frequent replacement.

Glasses can be cumbersome, impact your ability to participate in sports or outdoor activities, and may not provide peripheral vision correction. Even when cared for, they can get scratched or broken, leading to repeated expenses or inconveniences. Contact lenses, on the other hand, require meticulous daily care to avoid infections and other eye complications. They can also be uncomfortable in various environmental conditions—particularly in dry and dusty climates like Colorado—and not everyone can tolerate inserting and wearing lenses in their eyes.

For individuals leading an active lifestyle or seeking a more permanent, less cumbersome solution for their vision problems, surgical vision correction may be the best alternative. Procedures like LASIK can produce a longer-lasting and more reliable solution to vision limitations, which can make them a more attractive option for many patients. But, like eyeglasses and contact lenses, LASIK is not the right solution under every circumstance. We offer a range of alternatives to help ensure the best possible solution for every patient we see.

Monovision LASIK

Monovision LASIK may be a fantastic solution for some people experiencing presbyopia, an unavoidable age-related decrease in near vision. Monovision LASIK is the same advanced custom LASIK we offer today with a twist: it adeptly adjusts one eye to focus on distant objects while the other is fine-tuned for near tasks, thereby diminishing the need for reading glasses. This method can significantly improve quality of life, offering a seamless visual experience without the constant switching between different eyewear for near and far-sightedness.

Monovision LASIK offers a balanced approach to vision correction, helping to create a more natural range of sight without the encumbrances of glasses or contacts. Patients who adapt well to Monovision often find it a liberating solution, enjoying the freedom of good vision for most activities without additional corrective aids. Embracing this innovative option at 20/20 Institute means entrusting your vision to a team dedicated to personalized care and optimal outcomes, tailored precisely to your lifestyle and visual needs.

Implantable Collamer Lenses

Implantable Collamer Lenses (ICLs or EVO ICLs) are placed inside the eye, offering high-definition vision correction for nearsightedness and astigmatism. A reversible procedure, ICLs provide clarity of vision that is often described as natural and sharp. They are especially beneficial for those with higher nearsighted prescriptions or people with thin corneas, both of which can interfere with LASIK candidacy.

FDA-approved for patients who are between the ages of 21 and 45, ICLs are known for their effectiveness and safety, offering a quick recovery time and often immediate improvement in vision. The lenses are designed to work in harmony with the natural eye, providing a smooth visual experience without the need for glasses or contacts. For those looking for a durable and effective solution to certain refractive errors, ICLs at 20/20 Institute present a promising pathway to clear vision and an enhanced quality of life.

Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)

Usually reserved for patients in their 50s or above who are seeking an alternative to glasses and contacts and are not ideal candidates for LASIK, RLE can be an acceptable alternative to laser vision correction. RLE is a procedure that removes the natural lens of the eye and replaces it with an FDA-approved Intraocular Lens (IOL) which is approved for the treatment of cataracts. IOLs can correct for farsightedness and nearsightedness.

More advanced premium versions of these IOLs can correct for astigmatism as well as for near vision and intermediate vision needs. However, using RLE for these purposes is considered “Off-Label.” The decision to proceed with RLE is between you and your doctor. Discuss the risks and benefits of RLE directly with your doctor.

Other Alternatives to LASIK

While 20/20 Institute specializes in LASIK, Monovision LASIK, RLE, and ICLs, we recognize that individual vision needs are diverse, and it’s essential to be aware of all available options. During your FREE consultation at any of our three Denver-area locations, we can provide additional information about many types of vision correction surgery—even those not offered by our doctors.

Surgical options not offered by our Denver vision correction doctors include:

  • Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK): PRK may be good for patients with thinner corneas. While the shaping of the cornea is identical to LASIK, PRK differs in how the cornea is prepared, eliminating the need to create a corneal flap. Traditionally, the visual outcomes for PRK are not as good as LASIK. In addition, the recovery time for PRK is several times longer than LASIK.
  • Small Incision Lenticular Extraction (SMILE): SMILE is the most recently FDA-approved laser vision correction procedure in the United States. One feature of SMILE is that no flap is made on the cornea. In SMILE, the laser that creates the flap in LASIK is repurposed to create a lenticular lens within the cornea, which is then manually removed by the surgeon. Once the lenticular lens is removed, the patient’s eyeglasses prescription is, for the most part, corrected. Like PRK, the visual outcomes to date have not equaled LASIK. Another challenge is that SMILE doesn’t currently offer a refinement procedure if a patient’s vision were to change in the future.
  • Astigmatic Keratotomy (AK): This procedure is used to correct astigmatism by making precise incisions in the cornea. AK may be performed alone or in conjunction with other refractive surgeries to improve overall vision.
  • Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis (LASEK): Similar to PRK, LASEK involves softening the epithelial layer of the cornea with alcohol before reshaping the cornea with a laser. It’s an option for patients with thin corneas who cannot undergo LASIK. Recovery time is longer than LASIK, however, it may be shorter than PRK.

If the ideal solution for you is outside the offerings at 20/20 Institute, we will guide you to reputable providers in the area who can deliver the care you require. Our Denver-based team of vision correction experts is dedicated to ensuring every individual receives the optimal solution for their vision needs.

Why Choose 20/20 Institute?

Selecting 20/20 Institute for your vision correction journey means you’re choosing vision correction specialists who prioritize your individual needs, safety, and satisfaction above all else. Our impressive success rate—where 99.67% of our LASIK patients have achieved 20/20 vision or better*—serves as a testament to our commitment to excellence in vision care. Our rigorous LASIK candidacy criteria is simply part of our patient-centric approach. We take all of the steps necessary to ensure that we only recommend surgery—and the correct type—when it’s the best option for you.

At 20/20 Institute, we take pride in our concierge patient experience, which is designed to offer you individual attention, relaxing comfort, and optimal convenience from the moment you walk through our doors. Our approach to patient care is inspired by the finest standards of hospitality, ensuring a high-quality, luxurious experience throughout the vision correction process. From your initial consultation to the completion of your post-operative care, every interaction is tailored to your personal needs and preferences.

Our state-of-the-art facilities are equipped with advanced vision correction technology, including the WaveLight® EX500 Excimer Laser. Our commitment to providing safe and proven technology helps to ensure that you receive the most advanced and effective treatments available—serving as another indication that our team of experienced and compassionate vision correction professionals is dedicated to providing you with the highest level of care and support.

We understand that the cost of vision correction can be a concern, which is why we strive to provide the best value. Our competitive pricing, coupled with flexible financing options and insurance discounts, make our services accessible to a wider range of patients. We’re committed to transparency in every aspect of our pricing and services, ensuring you have all the information you need to make an informed decision.

Choosing 20/20 Institute means entrusting your vision to a team that is as invested in your visual outcomes as you are. We are committed to exceeding your expectations and providing a vision correction experience that is as rewarding as the results we deliver. Join us at 20/20 Institute, and see the world with new clarity and confidence.

Contact Us Today to Learn More

To schedule your FREE consultation at our Westminster, LoDo, or DTC location, contact 20/20 Institute online or call 303-202-0669 today. We serve all communities along the I-25 corridor, across the Front Range, and throughout Colorado.

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Our Convenient Denver LASIK Locations

Denver Tech Center Belleview Office

Our Denver Tech Center (DTC) office is located near the intersection of Belleview Ave and I- 25. There is plenty of free surface parking for extra convenience. Our DTC location provides easy access from many of Denver’s surrounding towns, including: Greenwood Village, Centennial, Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch, Castle Rock, and Parker.


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Denver Downtown LoDo Office

Our downtown office is located right in the middle of Denver’s LoDo district. Our downtown location provides easy access from many of Denver’s neighborhoods, including: Five Points, Capitol Hill, The Highlands, Washington Park, Auraria, Cheesman Park, Commerce City, LoHi, RiNo, Baker, City Park, Whittier, and Congress Park.


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Westminster Church Ranch Office

Our Westminster office is conveniently located off Church Ranch Way, near the Boulder Turnpike. Our Westminster, Church Ranch location provides easy access from many of Denver’s surrounding towns, including: Arvada, Wheat Ridge, Lafayette, Erie, Superior, Longmont, Thornton, Broomfield, and Boulder.


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