LASIK is the most common elective surgery in the United States. LASIK surgery treats refractive problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. It corrects the corneal shape that causes these refractive defects, allowing light to focus on the retina directly.
What Is A Refractive Error?
The retina is a light-sensitive nerve layer in the back of the eye. It generates impulses from light rays sent to the brain via the optic nerve. Refractive errors are visual abnormalities produced mostly by an imperfectly formed cornea or an eye that is longer or shorter than usual.
The cornea is the transparent component of the eye at the front. Light waves are bent and focused by it. Light from an object is not focused on the retina due to refractive flaws. This results in a fuzzy image.
In otherwise healthy eyes, refractive defects can arise. Refractive errors are rather prevalent, as more than half of all Americans have a correctable refractive error.
LASIK and other types of vision correction surgery can help with the most common refractive defects, such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism, and presbyopia.
Types of Problems LASIK Can Fix
It may appear like everyone around you is receiving laser surgery these days! All-laser LASIK eye surgery is becoming increasingly popular.
However, LASIK does not correct all eye or vision problems, though there are alternatives such as ICL and corneal cross linking.
Myopia
Myopia, often known as nearsightedness, happens when you can see close up but not far away. Nearsightedness is quite common and has been increasing for several decades.
From front to back, the eye is longer than usual. Or the cornea is too curled. Images end up focusing toward the front of the retina rather than on the retina.
Alternatively, the cornea may be steeper. This causes light to concentrate in front of the retina rather than directly on it when it passes through the cornea and lens.
People with myopia may see fine up close but have difficulties seeing items far away. Myopia often occurs in childhood, and glasses or contacts with a negative (-) prescription are used to treat nearsightedness.
Hyperopia
Hyperopia, often known as farsightedness, is a condition in which you can see far away but not close up. The eye is smaller than usual. Alternatively, the cornea is too flat.
Images focused behind the retina, or the cornea may look flatter. As a result, light enters through the cornea, and the lens focuses on the backside of the retina rather than on it.
Hyperopia affects around 25% of the population. If you are farsighted, your prescription will have a plus (+) in front of it. Both LASIK and PRK are quite successful in correcting farsightedness.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism usually causes blurry vision at all distances. Astigmatism causes hazy or distorted pictures because the cornea, or clear front section of the eye, is shaped more like an almond than a basketball.
As a result, light focuses unevenly. Kraff Eye Institute can correct astigmatism with glasses or contacts. Irregular astigmatism or high degrees of astigmatism may necessitate using specialist contact lenses.
One of the most common LASIK misunderstandings is that it cannot repair this refractive problem. LASIK and PRK have been used for over a decade to correct astigmatism in many patients.
Presbyopia
Presbyopia is the typical aging decrease of near-focusing ability. Most people experience the consequences of presbyopia after the age of 40. As you age, the lens within your eye becomes less flexible, limiting your ability to read or see up close. Reading glasses, bifocals, and surgical treatments can all help you read more closely.
This may not be very pleasant for anybody, especially those who have always had flawless eyesight. The good news is that both LASIK and PRK can correct presbyopia by establishing monovision.
This highly successful procedure provides the patient with excellent usable vision at all distances without needing reading glasses.
What LASIK Can’t Correct
Vision correction has progressed significantly. Historically, wearing glasses was the only option to correct a refractive problem and enjoy good vision.
Today, there are several solutions for correcting various faults, but Lasik is not always the best option. There are several other options available like lipiflow treatment.
Just because LASIK isn’t the best fit for you, doesn’t mean that your vision error cannot be corrected. Here are the errors that LASIK eye surgery cannot treat or fix.
Amblyopia
Amblyopia, also often known as lazy eye, is a muscle-related condition that most commonly affects youngsters.
If you have amblyopia, LASIK is still an option; however, LASIK will only allow you to achieve your best-corrected vision with the ongoing use of glasses or contacts.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a set of disorders that cause optic nerve damage in the eye, resulting in vision loss and blindness. However, early discovery and treatment can frequently avoid major vision loss.
If you have glaucoma, a glaucoma expert should closely monitor your eyes and health. LASIK cannot fully treat glaucoma; rather, it enhances eyesight.
Cataracts
Cataracts are more common in adults over 65 and cause blurry or foggy vision. Cataracts are a lens disease, and as such, they will not be corrected by LASIK.
If you have a cataract, a cataract expert should watch you decide whether cataract surgery is necessary. LASIK may be an option if vision correction is still necessary following cataract surgery.
Keratoconus
Keratoconus is an eye condition wherein the cornea thins and bulges in the shape of a cone. Light rays get out of focus as the shape of the cornea changes. As a result, your vision becomes fuzzy and distorted, making everyday tasks such as reading or driving difficult.
If you have keratoconus, you should avoid LASIK surgery since it might worsen the condition. A cornea expert for therapy should monitor your eyesight and keratoconus.
