Nearsightedness (Myopia)

Nearsightedness is a common condition in which a person’s distance vision is blurry and out of focus, making it difficult to see objects far away. Nearsightedness is caused by the cornea being too steep (or too curved) for the size of the eye. Because of this abnormality, light rays entering the eye focus in front of the retina instead of on the retina, causing the image on the retina to be out of focus. In eyes with normal vision, light focuses directly on the retina.

People who are nearsighted can temporarily correct their vision by wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses. People who want more lasting vision correction for nearsightedness can find it through refractive surgery, which changes the shape of the cornea. The most common corrective surgeries are LASIK and PRK. Other methods such as clear lens extraction and phakic IOL work by changing the lens power within the eye.

Farsightedness (Hyperopia)

Farsightedness is a common eye condition in which a person has difficulty focusing on objects close-up, making it difficult to read, sew or do other close-up work. In some instances of farsightedness, distance vision may be impaired as well. Farsightedness results when the eye is too flat in relation to the size of the eye, and light focuses behind the retina. In eyes with normal vision, light focuses directly on the retina.

People who are farsighted can temporarily correct their vision by wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses. People who want more lasting vision correction for farsightedness can find it through refractive surgery, which changes the shape of the cornea. Surgical treatment options include CK, LASIK, and PRK. Other options, such as phakic IOL and clear lens extraction do not change the corneal shape.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism is the most common vision condition, occurring in about 1 in 4 people, frequently in conjunction with myopia or hyperopia. Astigmatism results in distorted or blurry vision. It occurs when the cornea is improperly shaped, more oblong than spherical. Because the cornea helps to focus light onto the retina, any variations in its shape will impair normal vision. Astigmatism impairs both distance and close vision.

People with astigmatism can temporarily correct their vision by wearing eyeglasses or specially designed contact lenses. People who want more lasting vision correction for astigmatism can find it through the techniques of refractive surgery, including LASIK and PRK, which changes the shape of the cornea.

Presbyopia

Presbyopia usually occurs in people as they enter their 40s. Although it results in difficulty seeing objects close up, such as print in a book, it is not the same as farsightedness. Presbyopia is a result of the eye's lens losing its flexibility as a person ages. Presbyopia affects everyone, and virtually everyone will need to wear reading glasses or bifocals as they age.

One treatment option (or compromise) is called monovision. Using this option, the vision in each eye is adjusted differently. One eye is corrected for near vision (reading, etc), while the other eye is corrected for distance (driving, etc.) Patients will often adjust well to this procedure, developing both good distance and near vision.

Although there has previously been no cure for presbyopia, a new laser procedure called CK has been approved by the FDA and can often improve near vision with only slight changes in distance acuity. However, people with presbyopia can also correct their vision with prescription glasses, contact lens, reading glasses or bifocals.

Complications From Previous Vision Correction Surgeries

Patients who have had complications from previous eye surgeries can especially benefit from Dr. Smith’s skill and experience. Reduced visual acuity, debilitating glare, double vision, haloes, dry eye—all are symptoms of eye problems that can be treated using new techniques and technology. Customized procedures can help restore your vision and provide your best possible outcome. These include Contoured Ablation Pattern (Custom-CAP), “All Laser” LASIK and Therapeutic Wavefront Guided LASIK