LASIK Laser Eye Surgery Blog at Eye Surgery USA

Common Vision Problems - Nearsightedness and Farsightedness

In the emmetropic eye, the patient sees perfectly or 20/20. The light rays are focused exactly onto the retina for a clear view of objects.

Myopic Eye

In the nearsighted (myopic) eye, objects appear out of focus because the focal point of the eye is located in front of the retina. Because of this, properly focused light rays cannot reach the retina, resulting in blurred vision. With refractive LASIK surgery at our practice in Bayside, Queens, our LASIK surgeon utilizes a laser to reshape the eye so that the rays will diverge onto the retina. PRK can also accomplish this adjustment, however LASIK surgery is ideal. Both PRK and LASIK require use of a laser, however LASIK is performed under a protective flap. With PRK, the outer cells of the eye are scraped off prior to vision correction, leading to an increased risk of vision haze and months of eye drops. The LASIK treated eye usually requires drops for only about four days after the procedure and provides almost immediate visual recovery. The excimer laser can also be used to treat astigmatism, or irregular curvature of the cornea.

Astigmatic Eye

In the farsighted (hyperopic) eye, the ideal focal point for light is located behind the retina and light rays cannot converge enough to focus on the proper area of the eye. Using the excimer laser under the protective flap of LASIK, our surgeons are able to alter the shape of the eye so that light rays converge perfectly onto the retina, resulting in clear vision.

Labels: common vision problems, farsighted, nearsighted

 

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