Clearview Eye and Laser Medical Center

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Farsightedness

LASIK treats three vision problems:

Farsightedness
Nearsightedness
Astigmatism

These three problems are all caused by the shape of the eye, not by any problem with the lens or retina, for instance. A LASIK treatment modifies the shape of the cornea (clear front part of the eye), to change the way the eye focuses.

When you're farsighted, you can see well in the distance, but not up close. This is caused by the cornea being too flat. The curvature of the cornea bends light rays as they enter the eye, and when it’s too flat, it doesn’t bend them enough when they’re coming from near objects.

When they're coming from distant objects, they don’t need to be bent as much, so the cornea's relative flatness is not a problem. Coming from near objects, the light rays need to be bent at a more acute angle, and a farsighted cornea is unable to do it. So the light rays don't focus on the retina and give a clear image. Instead, they focus behind the retina and give a fuzzy image.

A treatment plan for farsightedness directs the excimer laser towards the edges of the cornea rather than the center. Since the laser vaporizes tissue to change the corneal shape, that vaporized tissue needs to come from the edges in order to make the cornea a little steeper. Being more steeply curved, it will then bend light rays slightly more and give you clear images.

If the farsighted cornea were to be made too steep, you would then be nearsighted. LASIK is a very precise treatment, and choosing your LASIK surgeon well is the first step in achieving improved vision. At ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center in San Diego, California we use only the best technology and adhere to the highest standards of care. If you are in the San Diego, California area, send us an email or give us a call.

posted by JennyK at 2:22 PM

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