The way that vision problems are addressed has changed a great deal over the years. We went from seeing folks wear coke-bottle glasses to wearing ultra-thin lenses and contacts. Then, technologies were developed to facilitate long-term improvement by altering the structure of the eye. LASIK is one example of technological advances in ophthalmology.
Throughout recent decades, millions of LASIK surgeries have been performed. Data demonstrates the high success rate and safety of this laser procedure, and it is not difficult to find numerous research findings that also support the value of LASIK. On the other hand, the vast availability of information also means that it is easy to stumble across some untruths. We want to make sure you see LASIK clearly, so you do not miss out on an opportunity to improve your vision if that is your desire.
Severe prescriptions cannot be corrected with the LASIK technique.
As one of the most widely studied procedures, LASIK pulls no punches. There are relatively few surprises these days, including the extensive capabilities of the corneal reshaping technique. LASIK specialists have performed treatment on some of the most severe errors and have achieved substantial correction.
Farsightedness is outside of the realm of LASIK’s capabilities.
Farsightedness is a refractive condition that is thought to occur when the eye is short. Yes, that is possible! The distance from the front of the eye to the back of the eye is one factor that determines how light is processed. In farsighted situations, light misses the retina and lands behind it, which means no clear image can be formed. Because LASIK can reshape structure, it is possible to modify the shape of the cornea to mitigate the short distance through which light can travel.
LASIK is no match for astigmatism.
Astigmatism is similar to farsightedness regarding visual disturbance caused by the shape of the eye. In astigmatism, the problem is centered on the cornea, which is shaped more like a football than a sphere. When this shape occurs, the light will pass through one or the other side of the ocular structure, not directly through it. As such, there is no direct focal point on the retina, and vision is unclear. LASIK may be an optimal procedure for balancing the curvature of the cornea.
Expect night vision to decrease after LASIK.
Why would anyone want to improve daytime vision at the cost of night vision? When LASIK was first developed, side effects such as halos and glares were, in fact, somewhat common. Halos are a type of glow that appears around headlights and other sources of light and can create difficulty for night driving. Fortunately, advances in the performance of LASIK surgery have largely decreased these side effects. Now, they occur less than 1% of the time.
Get solid information on LASIK surgery when you call our Winchester, VA office at 540-722-6200.
Posted in: LASIK
