Nearsightedness, Farsightedness, and Astigmatism

Nearsightedness is the most common refractive error of the eye. You may hear this called “myopia” as well. It affects more than 42% of people in the United States (which equates to many millions). If you have nearsightedness, you will struggle to see distant objects clearly, but objects up close will be clear. Therefore, you see “near”, or you have “nearsightedness”. Farsightedness (hyperopia) is the exact opposite condition. The light of objects focuses behind the retina of the eye, meaning that you see distant objects clearly. Closer objects will be too blurry to focus on.

The third (and least common) refractive error is astigmatism. With this, your eye is more of a rugby shape than a sphere, which makes your eye focus light at two different places. This also causes blurry vision. Luckily, you can fix these problems with glasses and contact lenses. For a more permanent fix, you can invest a few office visits in LASIK eye surgery.
 

What Is LASIK Eye Surgery?

There are various forms of eye surgeries to fix different problems in the eye. LASIK eye surgery is one of the most common surgeries performed to fix refractive errors in the eyes. You can have this surgery done in one eye or in both eyes. During this procedure, a laser is used to reshape your cornea and to correct how your eye focuses light. Laser eye surgery encompasses several surgeries to correct refractive errors for nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Diseases such as macular degeneration and glaucoma cannot be fixed with refractive eye surgery.

During your procedure, we will anesthetize your eye with topical eye drops. Our surgeon will then create a corneal flap on the outer layer of your eye. This flap is cut and flopped open like a cover of a book. We then you an excimer laser to reshape your cornea into a shape that will allow you to have a clearer vision. Reshaping the cornea helps light to focus correctly on your retina so that you can see clearly. After using this laser, the corneal flap is replaced like closing the cover of a book. Depending on your refractive error, we use the laser to shape your cornea so light focuses closer to your retina. Nearsightedness errors respond well to LASIK eye surgery as well as farsightedness errors. Refractive surgery only sometimes works for patients with astigmatism.
 

Are You a Candidate for LASIK?

Not every person is a candidate for LASIK eye surgery. You will have to meet with one of Optical Masters doctors to have your eyes examined and to know for sure if you can receive this surgery. LASIK eye surgery may be a good option for you if you:

• Are free from eye disease

• Want to reduce your dependence on glasses or contact lenses

• Have a refractive error of the eyes that lies within candidacy requirements for surgery

• Are prepared for the risks and possible side effects of the procedure

• Are willing to still use glasses or contacts after the procedure for optimum vision
   

Your Vision Consultation

With the start of the new year, why not start it off right with a new you? Millions of people have vision problems, but you could be one less person that does. If you are a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery, come discover a clearer vision today! If LASIK isn’t right for you, we can help fit you for a great pair of glasses or contact lenses. Don’t let vision problems get in the way of you reaching your goals in 2018. Call Optical Masters today at (720) 780-8881!