Refractive laser surgery for vision correction has made tremendous advances over the last several decades.
Today, many different options exist to help the majority of people who wear glasses or contact lenses reduce or eliminate their dependence on their corrective lenses. In almost all cases, refractive laser surgery is considered elective and cosmetic.
Here are some facts about laser vision correction:
- Vision correction surgery can benefit people with myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism.
- Myopia occurs when near objects appear clear but distant objects are blurry. The eye is too long and/or the cornea is too steep for its focusing ability, thus, objects are blurry.
- Hyperopia occurs when near objects are blurry and far objects are clear. In this case, the eye is too short and/or the cornea is too flat for its focusing ability, which causes the blurriness.
- Astigmatism is best described as distorted or warped vision due to the surface of the eye being somewhat irregular in shape. With this condition, the eye has various focal points causing images to be distorted.
- Vision correction surgery modifies the cornea and/or the lens in order to focus light on the back of the eye without the need for corrective lenses.
- Vision correction surgery will usually not benefit people with presbyopia (the inability to see objects up close). Presbyopia describes the condition in which the eye exhibits a progressively diminished ability to focus on near objects with age. This condition affects all people older than 40-45 years of age and is corrected by bifocal glasses or bifocal contact lenses. In presbyopia, the lens loses its ability to change shape and thus focus the eye on objects up close. Presbyopia is not a problem of the eye being too long or too short. Research is ongoing to develop corrective surgical procedures for presbyopia, but the technique has not yet been established.
Today, various options in vision correction surgery include the following:
- Radial Keratotomy (RK)
- Photorefractive keratotomy (PRK)
- Laser in situ Keratomileusis (LASIK)
- Femtosecond laser-assisted LASIK (iLASIK)
- Laser thermal Keratoplasty (LTK)
- Conductive Keratoplasty (CK)
- Intracorneal ring segments (ICR)
- Phakic intraocular lens implants
With so many laser vision correction options available, it is important to select the appropriate method for your specific needs. In San Clemente, our doctors can meet with you to evaluate your vision and help choose the surgery method best suited for you. If you are interested in scheduling an appointment, please contact Harvard Eye Associates at 949-951-2020 or harvardeye.com.
