Glaucoma screenings are just one of the many things that went by the wayside during the pandemic. Offices were closed, transportation was scarce, and many of those most at risk of contracting coronavirus were being understandably cautious and canceled previously scheduled glaucoma screenings.
LASIK eye surgery is a popular and effective means for correcting vision problems. Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) can eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. During LASIK surgery, a laser is used to change the shape of the cornea to improve vision and create the correct refraction for clear vision.
Eye conditions that can be corrected through LASIK eye surgery.
Astigmatism
LASIK and PRK can correct astigmatism in many patients and have been doing so for over two decades. Astigmatism is a refractive error that prohibits the eye from focusing light evenly on the retina, distorting vision at any distance.
Hyperopia
Hyperopia or farsightedness is a refractive error that limits close vision because the eye does not bend or refract light to a single focus so that images can be seen clearly. Both LASIK and PRK have been highly effective in correcting farsightedness.
Myopia
Myopia or nearsightedness is a vision condition allowing near sight but not far sight. LASIK and PRK are both extremely effective at correcting nearsightedness, a condition that occurs when the cornea is too steep, causing light rays to bend incorrectly. Images focus in front of your retina instead of on your retina.
Presbyopia
Presbyopia is the loss of near focusing that occurs with age. Neither LASIK or PRK can effectively correct presbyopia, as it has to do with the interior workings of the lens of the eye becoming less elastic with age. Monovision can be achieved, which would allow near vision for some patients, but it would not be a permanent solution.
Eye conditions that can not be corrected through LASIK eye surgery.
Amblyopia
Amblyopia or lazy eye is a muscle-related vision difficulty caused when the brain fails to process inputs from one eye, which over time causes the other eye to be favored, decreasing vision in the eye. LASIK can improve vision but only as well as one can see with the use of glasses or contacts. If the brain is no longer processing input from the eye, LASIK will not change the course.
Cataracts
Cataracts are typically an age-related disease causing cloudy or foggy vision. As a disease of the lens, LASIK will not correct them.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the eye’s optic nerve resulting in vision loss and blindness. With early detection and treatment, vision loss can be prevented. LASIK does not treat glaucoma.
Keratoconus
Keratoconus occurs when the cornea thins and bulges forming a cone-like shape. The change in the cornea’s shape brings light rays out of focus, resulting in blurry and distorted vision. As LASIK surgery will exacerbate the situation, it should not be utilized for vision correction when the condition is prevalent.
To find out if you are a good candidate for laser vision correction, schedule a complimentary consultation with David J. O’Brien, MD, our fellowship trained refractive surgeon. Call New Vision Eye Center at 772-257-8700.