How LASIK Surgery Can Correct Myopia, Astigmatism and Farsightedness

Many people with astigmatism also have nearsightedness or farsightedness.

LASIK

(laser in situ keratomileusis) is a surgical procedure designed to correct refractive errors. It involves creating a corneal flap using a microkeratome or a femtosecond laser, remodeling the cornea with an excimer laser to remove tissue from the underlying stromal bed and then replacing the flap. LASIK surgery can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.

Nearsightedness makes it difficult for patients to see things that are far away. Because the eye is longer than a normal eye, light that passes through the cornea focuses in front of the retina instead of on it. LASIK surgery can correct this condition by reshaping the steep cornea so that light passes through it and focuses at the right angle on the retina. Farsightedness is the opposite of myopia.

Patients cannot focus clearly on nearby objects because the shape of their eyes is shorter than normal. This causes light to focus beyond the retina. As with correcting myopia, remodeling the cornea with LASIK will allow light to be focused on the right place in the eye. Astigmatism often causes blurred vision at all distances.

Many patients who have nearsightedness or farsightedness also have astigmatism. LASIK and PRK can correct astigmatism in many patients and have been doing so for more than a decade. It is an effective option for correcting problems such as myopia, astigmatism and farsightedness. Monovision is achieved when one eye is corrected to see from a distance and the other eye is corrected to see up close.

FemtoLASIK is a type of LASIK surgery to correct vision problems that involves remodeling the cornea with a laser. Trevor Woodhams is an experienced eye surgeon who has changed the lives of his clients with vision correction surgery for more than three decades. If you want to know how LASIK can correct your vision, contact Woodhams Eye Clinic to schedule your consultation with an Atlanta eye doctor. The Kraff Eye Institute also offers corrective surgery for those who have difficulty seeing things that are near and far.