Vision Correction Options Beyond LASIK
Discover how LASIK, PRK, ICL, Allotex and Custom Lens Replacement fit different eyes
June 1, 2026
LASIK is often the starting point when people begin researching vision correction.
It is widely known and has helped many people reduce their reliance on glasses or contact lenses.
However, LASIK is one of several approaches available. Modern vision correction includes a range of procedures designed to suit different eyes, different stages of vision, and different lifestyle needs.
Looking beyond a single procedure
Vision correction is not built around one treatment. Depending on your eyes and your goals, the discussion may include:
LASIK
PRK
Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL)
Custom Lens Replacement
Allotex (for near vision)
Each option works in a different way and is considered as part of the same decision-making process.
How different options fit different stages of vision
Laser-based procedures: LASIK and PRK
Laser procedures reshape the cornea to improve how light is focused.
They are often considered across a broad age range, depending on eye structure, prescription and long-term considerations.
PRK may be recommended where it is the more appropriate laser approach for the surface of the eye.
Lens-based option: ICL
ICL involves placing a lens inside the eye without removing the natural lens.
It offers a different approach to vision correction, working within the eye rather than reshaping the cornea, and is often part of the conversation for younger adults and those exploring a lens-based option.
Near vision solution: Allotex
Allotex is designed specifically to improve near vision.
It involves placing a thin layer of natural corneal collagen beneath the surface of the eye to enhance reading vision, while preserving distance vision.
It may be considered for:
patients over 40 experiencing early changes in near vision
those who have good distance vision and want to maintain it
individuals looking for a minimally invasive, tissue-sparing option
Longer-term option: Custom Lens Replacement
Custom Lens Replacement involves replacing the natural lens with an artificial lens selected to match your visual needs.
It is typically considered for patients over 40–45, particularly where near vision changes are already affecting daily life.
It is often part of a longer-term approach to vision, aligning with how the eye naturally changes over time.
Not a hierarchy, but a fit
It is important not to think of these options as steps or alternatives in a sequence.
They are not “next best” options.
Each procedure is considered based on how well it aligns with:
your eye health
your visual needs
how your vision is likely to change over time
The goal is not to move away from one option towards another. It is to identify the most appropriate approach from the outset.
How the right option is determined
At Wellington Eye Clinic, this decision is guided through a structured consultation process.
During your consultation:
a detailed series of tests and scans are carried out
your eye health and structure are assessed
your lifestyle and visual priorities are discussed
This is part of our Lifestyle Vision Design approach, where the focus is on understanding how you use your vision and how it is likely to change over time.
After reviewing your results, our team will:
explain the options available to you
talk through how each aligns with your needs
advise on the approach that best fits your eyes and your life
LASIK may be the most recognised procedure, but it is only one part of a much broader picture.
Modern vision correction is about understanding all available options and identifying the one that fits you best, both now and in the years ahead.