Laser eye surgery is used to correct various vision issues. This procedure eliminates the need to wear contacts or glasses to see the world clearly. Here are some of the top vision issues that a laser eye surgeon can correct:
1. Nearsightedness
People with nearsightedness, or myopia, can see well up close, but their vision becomes blurry when looking at objects in the distance. The shape of the eye changes with nearsightedness, causing the light rays to bend incorrectly. This results in light focusing in front of the retina. Nearsightedness may occur if the eye is long or the cornea is deeply curved. Myopia is measured by severity, from low to high.
People with nearsightedness need corrective lenses to help their eyes focus on objects at a distance. If the condition presents in childhood, eye doctors recommend wearing glasses or contact lenses to correct vision problems. Once the eyes are fully developed, laser surgery is recommended to change the shape of the cornea, allowing you to see clearly at a distance.
2. Farsightedness
The opposite of nearsightedness is farsightedness, which means an individual sees objects clearly in the distance but not up close. This condition is known as hyperopia, and it is caused by a shorter eyeball or a flat cornea. If you have more severe hyperopia, objects in the distance may also be blurry. This condition is a focusing issue rather than an eye disorder, meaning the eye doesn’t bend light correctly. The light bends behind the retina instead of directly on it, making it difficult to see items in your near field of vision.
Farsightedness can be hereditary and developed by children. Children with farsightedness may not notice any difference in their vision. Mild farsightedness has the potential to go away as the child grows up. If it doesn’t go away with time, an eye doctor will prescribe corrective lenses. Laser eye surgery is used to fix mild hyperopia in adults, eliminating the need for thick glasses.
3. Presbyopia
Presbyopia is a condition that often occurs as a person gets older. Individuals with this condition may struggle to see things up close, and holding objects at a distance helps them see more clearly. With age, the eyes lose the ability to focus up close, such as when reading. People who suffer from this condition often use reading glasses. They may have no problems seeing objects unless they’re trying to read small print. If they already wear glasses, their eye doctor may recommend bifocals or trifocals.
The eye’s clear lens is located behind the iris, and when you’re younger, it changes shape easily. This allows your eyes to adjust quickly to see objects close and far away. As you get older, the lens becomes more rigid. Presbyopia is more common in people over age 40, and laser surgery can correct reading-distance vision.
4. Astigmatism
Astigmatism is diagnosed when the cornea and lens have different curvatures. Normal corneas are rounded like a ball. When a person has astigmatism, their cornea is oval or egg-shaped. This condition may either be horizontal or vertical, depending on whether the cornea is taller than it is wide or wider than it is tall. Astigmatism is a common vision diagnosis that causes glares and night vision issues.
Some myths suggest that astigmatism develops when you read in low lighting or sit too close to the television or computer screen. This condition is actually inherited or caused by disease or injury to the eye. It’s often combined with other eye conditions, such as nearsightedness or farsightedness. Laser eye surgery changes the shape of the cornea back to round, allowing you to have clearer vision.
5. Cataracts
Cataracts often develop with age as cloudy spots on the eyes’ lenses. They worsen over time and may lead to blindness if left untreated. Individuals with cataracts will notice decreased vision and blurriness both close-up and far away. The precision of laser procedures has made cataract surgery highly effective and minimally invasive.
The surgeon makes a tiny incision in your eye, breaks up the cataract material, and removes the original lens. They place an intraocular lens in the eye that allows more light into the eye, creating clearer vision. Patients see an improvement in vision within a few hours after the surgery. The surgeon performs the procedure on one eye per appointment to give your eyes time to heal and adjust.
Schedule a Consultation for Laser Eye Surgery
If you want to correct your vision with laser surgery, meet with your eye doctor for a routine exam. If they determine you to be a good candidate for the procedure, they will recommend a reputable laser eye surgeon. During a consultation appointment, the eye surgeon will assess your vision and eye health, create a custom treatment plan, and explain the surgery process. Contact a reputable laser eye center today to schedule a consultation appointment.
