Farsightedness, also known as hyperopia, affects a person’s ability to see things clearly close up, such as when reading a book or using a computer. If you have a refractive vision problem, such as hyperopia, and are looking to treat the condition without the use of glasses or contact lenses, LASIK eye surgery could be the solution for you.
LASIK eye surgery is a safe and very effective type of vision correction surgery that can offer permanent results, preventing the need for glasses or contact lenses. It is the most common elective procedure in the US and uses precise levels of ablation accuracy to correct vision problems quickly.
LASIK Eye Surgery for Refractive Vision Problems
LASIK eye surgery is a type of customized wavefront-guided laser surgery that is used to correct certain types of refractive vision problems, including hyperopia, myopia (nearsightedness), and astigmatism (an imperfection in the curvature of the eye). The main aim of this minimally-invasive procedure is to enable patients to see clearly without having to depend on glasses or contact lenses.
The procedure involves reshaping and modifying the eye’s cornea in order to improve clarity of vision. The cornea is the dome-shaped transparent outer layer at the front of the eye that protects the iris, pupil, and anterior chamber (the fluid-filled middle part of the eye). One of its main functions is to control and focus the entry of light into the eye, which it does (with the help of the anterior chamber and lens) by refracting (bending) the light.
A normal cornea is smooth and evenly curved in all directions to allow the focused light to land directly on the retina, but if there is a problem with the shape of the cornea, it cannot focus light accurately on the retina. Instead of images being focused on the retina, they end up being focused elsewhere, resulting in blurred or distorted vision.
Hyperopia is caused by two main factors – either flattened corneas or abnormally short eyeballs, or a combination of both. These conditions mean that light entering the eyes cannot be refracted correctly and instead of landing squarely on the retina, the incoming light is focused beyond the retina, making nearby objects appear blurry or distorted. LASIK eye surgery works to correct vision by reshaping the cornea in order to provide the necessary refraction.
How Do I Know If LASIK Eye Surgery Is Right For Me?
If you are interested in having a LASIK procedure, an eye specialist can assess your condition and whether you are a good candidate for the procedure based on your medical history, and by performing a thorough preoperative eye examination. They will also discuss realistic expectations with you to help you to decide on whether the surgery is right for you. In a majority of cases, the procedure has been found to be highly-successful for farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism.
LASIK eye surgery is personalized to each individuals’ exact requirements using an ultra-precise scan to provide a detailed 3D map of the eye. The results of the scan provide the doctor with accurate details about your vision and help create a correction plan that is personalized to your eyes.
What Does The Procedure Involve?
LASIK is a quick procedure and typically takes only two minutes per eye. Before the procedure, you will be given numbing eye drops to keep your comfortable and you can request medication to help you relax, if necessary.
The first step of the procedure involves preparing the eye. An ultra-fast laser is used to create a thin flap on the surface of the cornea. Once the flap has been created, a very precise laser is used to gently reshape the cornea to the desired curvature, based on the measurements and information collected from the 3D eye map scan. When finished, the cornea flap is repositioned and the procedure is complete.
What Results Can I Expect Following LASIK Eye Surgery?
Recovery can vary but clinical studies have shown that many people see 20/16 or better following their procedure, dramatically reducing the need for glasses or contact lenses.
Are There Any Risks Involved?
As with all types of surgery, there can be risks involved with LASIK eye surgery. Possible complications can include pain or inflammation in the eye, an infection, or flap-related complications. Your provider will discuss the risks with you during your initial consultation.
Who Is A Candidate For Laser Eye Surgery?
Not everyone is a candidate for LASIK eye surgery and certain factors can prevent you from being able to get this type of procedure, including medical conditions such as autoimmune diseases, advanced eye diseases, uncontrolled diabetes, and pregnancy. Your provider will be able to assess your eligibility for the procedure based on your medical history and other factors.
LASIK For Farsightedness in Miami, Florida
If you have farsightedness and would like to find out if you are a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery, schedule a consultation at The Laser Center of Coral Gables. Our expert providers can evaluate your condition and confirm which refractive procedure is best for you. Our goal is to help improve your vision without the need for glasses or contacts.
To find out more about LASIK eye surgery, or any of our other procedures, call us at (305)461-0003. You can also contact us using our secure online form.
