Intralase is the safest method for creating the corneal flap. Using the IntraLase FS laser to create the corneal flap with a safe laser beam instead of a blade.
Vision Disorders
Myopia (Nearsightedness)
What is Myopia?
Most commonly referred to as nearsightedness, myopia is
classified as a refractive error, and is more specifically
categorized within Ametropia (including myopia, hyperopia
and astigmatism).
The implication of this visual impairment includes blurred perception of
images in the distance. A person with myopia is only able to see and
focus clearly on images within a limited range. Myopia occurs in
people of all ages and at varying degrees of severity. Around 25%
of American adults are afflicted with myopia.
What is the cause?
The cause of myopia is an abnormal curvature of the cornea
(too drastic/too steep), or an eye that has grown excess in length.
Either physical trait forces light to focus in front of the retina,
thus blurring vision.
What are the solutions?
Myopia is correctable with glasses and contact lenses; however,
the quality of one’s vision may continue to decrease over time
requiring stronger visual aids. Surgery is a more viable option
because it produces a longer lasting, more reliable and more
convenient solution to the problems associated with nearsightedness.
We have several refractive surgery solutions to correct all levels of myopia.
If you are interested and wish to learn more about your own options,
make an appointment for a free consultation in a location near you.
Hyperopia (Farsightedness)
What is hyperopia?
Most commonly referred to as farsightedness, hyperopia is
classified as a refractive error, and is more specifically
categorized within Ametropia (including myopia,
hyperopia and astigmatism). The implications of this visual disorder include blurred perception
of images within close proximity, as well as in intensified cases,
inability to focus on objects in any range of distance.
Fundamentally, people with hyperopia struggle with varied levels of
blurred vision which creates problems with daily activities,
especially driving and reading. Hyperopia can exist in people
of any age and at any degree of severity. This disorder can
often be easily confused by a person experiencing presbyopia,
but if a person didn’t have difficulty with up-close
vision until after forty then they do not have hyperopia.
What is the cause?
Contrary to popular belief, hyperopia is not the antithesis of myopia;
this misinterpretation is common because the layman’s terminology
of “nearsightedness” and “farsightedness”. What creates this
confusion is the essential opposing factor between the two
disorders; with myopia the image is focused in front of the
retina, whereas with hyperopia the light is reflected, and images
are focused behind the retina. This malfunction is the result of a
deformed cornea that is either too flat, or a globe that is
too short; thus causing blurred vision. People with hyperopia
may also suffer from strabismus (cross-eyed) or amblyopia (lazy-eye).
What are the solutions?
Hyperopia is correctable with glasses and contact lenses; however,
the quality of one’s vision may continue to decrease over time
requiring stronger visual aids. Surgery is a more viable
option because it produces a longer lasting, more reliable
and more convenient solution to the problems associated with
nearsightedness. We have several refractive surgery
solutions to correct all levels of myopia. If you are
interested and wish to learn more about your own options,
make an appointment for a free consultation in a location near you.
Astigmatism
What is astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a common vision disorder that creates the
appearance of ghosting or shadowing of images at a distance.
Astigmatism complicates the ability to perceive fine detail,
and creates difficulty with alignment of both vertical and
horizontal lines (e.g. buildings could appear slanted like a carnival fun house).
Astigmatism can exist independently, but most often it is present
in conjunction with myopia
or hyperopia,
all of which belong to the same classification; Ametropia.
What is the cause?
Astigmatism is cause by abnormal curvature of the cornea.
When the cornea is not symmetrically round, irregular slants
and slopes within the bend of the cornea create a conflict in
the balance between the two planes of optical input.
The axis is offset; thus, images are distorted and vision is blurred.
What are the solutions?
Astigmatism is correctable with glasses and contact lenses.
The corrective lenses regulate and manage the misalignment
caused by the misshapen cornea.
Presbyopia
What is presbyopia?
Presbyopia is an age induced vision disorder that
creates blurred vision of images within close proximity.
This disorder appears in all people at some point in life
after the age of forty. The biggest problem associated with,
and the greatest side effect from presbyopia is difficulty reading.
Most people notice the onset of presbyopia when they are
forced to begin to hold textual materials farther away
from their eyes/face.
What is the cause?
As the eyes age, the normal optical functions begin to
slow and deteriorate just like any other part of the body.
Optimally, light from an object enters the eye, the cornea
refracts the light, and the lens changes shape to accommodate
for the decreased focal length of the close up object.
(This is exactly the same process that occurs when
focusing your camera on a near object.) Unfortunately,
this lens within the eye, as it ages, loses the accuracy
in its ability to focus accordingly.
What are the solutions?
Presbyopia is correctable with glasses; however, the quality
of one’s vision may continue to decrease over time requiring
stronger visual aids. Surgery is a more viable option
because it produces a longer lasting, more reliable and more
convenient solution to the problems associated with this
disorder. Since presbyopia can be dealt with in a number
of ways, including LASIK surgery,
so please contact our staff to better understand your options if this is
something that you think you are experiencing.
